Star Hops
AromaAlpha 4.5 - 7.0%Japan
Flavor & aroma
Genetics & family tree
Curated parent and offspring links for Star. View Star family tree & lineage chart → Recipe swaps are on the Hop Substitutor.
Star is an elegant aroma hop that represents the sophisticated side of Sapporo Breweries' legendary breeding program. Developed as a refined sibling to the aggressive Sorachi Ace, Star was engineered to capture the herbal essence of traditional European "Noble" hops while adapting them to the unique terroir of Japan.
Interestingly, the name "Star" also carries historical weight as a Belgian landrace variety that is no longer grown commercially. While poor vigor and low yields led to the demise of the original Belgian Star in the commercial fields, the name lives on in the homebrewing community and through this modern Japanese cultivar. Today, it remains a boutique variety primarily used in premium brewing, gained for its international respect, clean agricultural profile, and its ability to provide a polished, high-quality aromatic finish.
Looking for an alternative?
Run Star through our Hop Substitutor to find chemical and flavor matches ranked for your brewing goal.
If you can't find Star, the best alternatives are Perle, Saaz, Sorachi Ace, or Sterling.
Similar hops (calculated)
View hop substitutes for Star →- Yellow Sub46.9%
- Meridian42.2%
- Notts Eastwell40.3%
- Bohemie37.7%
- Aramis35.5%
- Universal34.8%
Match scores use aroma/flavor charts and chemistry — estimates only.
At A Glance
| Profile | Soft Citrus, Herbal, Spicy, Lemon Zest, Lemongrass, Fresh-Cut Hay, White Flowers, Sweet Mint |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Aroma |
| Alpha Acid | 4.5 - 7.0% |
| Substitutes | Perle, Saaz, Sorachi Ace, Sterling |
| Pairs with | Loral® (for a boost in floral complexity), Saaz (for added noble spice), Sorachi Ace (to brighten the lemon notes) |
| Beer Styles | Japanese Rice Lager, Pilsner, Blonde Ale, Witbier, Saison |
General Information
| Country | Japan |
|---|---|
| Alias | Sapporo Star |
| Storage Stability | Retains 70% alpha acid |
Brewing Chemistry (Acids & Oils)
| Alpha Acid | 4.5 - 7.0% |
|---|---|
| Beta Acid | 3.5 - 5.0% |
| Cohumulone | 23.0 - 28.0% |
| Total Oil | 0.8 - 1.4 ml/100g |
| Myrcene | 35.0 - 45.0% |
| Humulene | 20.0 - 25.0% |
| Caryophyllene | 8.0 - 12.0% |
| Farnesene | < 1.0% |
| Linalool | 0.4 - 0.6% |
| Geraniol | ~0.2% |
Growth & Cultivation
| Yield | 1,600 - 1,900 lbs/acre |
|---|---|
| Maturity | Mid-season |
| Resistant | Good to common hop mildews |
| Growth Rate | High |
| Cones | Small to medium-sized, relatively dense, and pale green |
| Ease of Harvest | Good; bines are structurally sound and well-suited for standard mechanical picking |
| Sex | Female |
| Leaf Color | Medium green |
| Side Arm Length | 15" - 25" |
- 2026-03-29 15:00:40
- Google Gemini