Sterling Hops: Profile & Substitutions

Description

Sterling is a masterful American aroma hop that brings the legendary refinement of the Old World into the modern era. Developed by the United States Department of Agriculture breeding program in 1990 and officially released in 1998, Sterling was specifically engineered to be a domestic successor to the classic Czech Saaz, which at the time suffered from unreliable availability.

Researchers created this "complex" variety (some might call it a high-bred mutt) by crossing Saaz (50%) with Cascade (25%), Brewer's Gold, and Early Green. This pedigree allows Sterling to possess the delicate "Noble" characteristics of its ancestors while offering the improved vigor and resin content of American cultivars. It has become a cornerstone for craft brewers who require a clean, sophisticated aromatic profile for traditional lagers, proving that domestic hops can achieve a level of elegance equal to the finest European landrace varieties.

Substitution Tip

If you can't find Sterling, the best alternatives are Liberty, Lubelski, Mount Hood, Saaz, or Santiam.

At A Glance

Profile Fresh-cut Hay, Sweet Resins, Pepper, Spicy, Citrus Undertones, Lemon Zest, Orange Peel, Chamomile, Wildflowers
Purpose Aroma
Alpha Acid 5.5 - 9.0%
Substitutes Liberty, Lubelski, Mount Hood, Saaz, Santiam
Pairs with Cascade (to lean into the floral notes), Hallertauer Tradition (for a clean and integrated European profile), Saaz (to reinforce the noble spice)
Beer Styles Pilsner, Lager, Witbier, Saison, Belgian Ale, American Pale Ale

General Information

Country United States
Alias USDA 21689
Storage Stability
Maintains 60% - 75% alpha acid

Brewing Chemistry (Acids & Oils)

Alpha Acid 5.5 - 9.0%
Beta Acid 4.5 - 6.0%
Cohumulone 22.0 - 28.0%
Total Oil 1.3. - 1.9 ml/100g
Myrcene 44.0 - 48.0%
Humulene 19.0 - 23.0%
Caryophyllene 5.0 - 8.0%
Farnesene 11.0 - 17.0%
Linalool 0.3 - 0.5%
B-Pinene 0.5 - 0.6%
Geraniol 0.2 - 0.4%

Growth & Cultivation

Yield 1,400 - 1,800 lbs/acre
Maturity Mid-season
Resistant Downy Mildew, Powdery Mildew
Growth Rate Moderate to high
Cones Medium-sized, relatively dense, and very rich in aromatic lupulin
Ease of Harvest Excellent; the bines are structurally sound and the variety is well-suited for high-volume mechanica
Sex Female
Leaf Color Dark green
Side Arm Length 24" - 36"

Sterling Aroma/Flavor Profile

Discovery Tags

Flavor/Aroma
Chamomile Citrus Hay Lemon Zest Orange Peel Pepper Resinous Spicy Wildflower
Variety Name
Brewer's Gold Cascade Early Green Hallertaur Tradition Liberty Lubelski Mount Hood Saaz Santiam
Beer Style
American Pale Ale Belgian Ale Lager Pilsner Saison Witbier
Usage
Aroma
Origin
United States
Breeding/Supplier
United States Department Of Agriculture
Last Updated
  • 2026-03-29 08:33:18
Source(s)

Hops Catalog

Navigating This Profile
  • The Stats: Use the Purpose and Alpha % to understand the hop's bitterness and aromatic strength.
  • Discovery Tags: Scroll down to find clickable tags for Flavor, Origin, and Usage.
  • The Network: Click any tag (like #Citrus or #New Zealand) to instantly view every other hop in our catalog that shares that trait.
Discovery Tag Spotlight

  • #Noble (Classics)

    Back to the roots. European "Noble" hops are the elegant, low-bitterness varieties that defined Pilsners and Lagers for centuries. Explore the spicy, floral heritage of the Old World. Explore #Noble Hops!
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Did you know?
  • Dwarf variety hops grow shorter in height than traditional varieties but, importantly, produce the same yield. This combination makes harvest easier.
Explanations
  • Storage: is based on the percentage of alpha acids remaining after 6 months at 20*F.
  • Oil composition percetages are based on the total percentage of oil in the hop. Example: 10 - 20% means that for the specific oil it is 10 - 20% of the overall oil make up.