Star Hops: Profile & Substitutions

Description

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.

Substitution Tip

If you can't find Star, the best alternatives are Perle, Saaz, Sorachi Ace, or Sterling.

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"

Discovery Tags

Flavor/Aroma
Citrus Hay Herbal Lemon Zest Lemongrass Spicy Sweet Mint White Flowers
Variety Name
Loral Perle Saaz Sorachi Ace Sterling
Beer Style
Blonde Ale Japanese Rice Lager Pilsner Saison Witbier
Usage
Aroma
Origin
Japan
Breeding/Supplier
Sapporo Brewery
Last Updated
  • 2026-03-29 09:00:40
Source(s)
  • Google Gemini

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

  • #Earthy (Grounded Brew)

    Get back to nature. These varieties bring cedar, tobacco, and herbal notes to the table—perfect for classic English Bitters and rustic Saisons. Explore #Earthy 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.