Spalt Hops: Profile & Substitutions

Description

Spalt (often called Spalt Spalter) is the quintessential German Noble hop and one of the most historically significant cultivars in the world. As a natural landrace variety native to the Spalt region of Bavaria, its roots may date back as far as the 8th century. Its importance to brewing history is so profound that in 1538, it became the first hop variety ever granted the German hop seal—a testament to its centuries of elite status.

Part of the legendary Saaz family, Spalt is defined by an extreme aromatic delicacy heavily influenced by the unique red-brown soils of its home district. Unlike modern high-alpha hybrids engineered for raw power, Spalt is grown strictly for its exquisite finesse. It remains the definitive choice for brewers seeking the most authentic, prestigious, and timeless European character for traditional German styles.

Substitution Tip

If you can't find Spalt, the best alternatives are Hallertau, Saaz, Spalter Select, or Tettnanger.

At A Glance

Profile Spicy, Herbal, Dried Flowers, Sweet Hay, Pepper, Woody, Cedar, Earthy, Citrus
Purpose Aroma
Alpha Acid 2.5 - 5.5%
Substitutes Hallertau, Saaz, Spalter Select, Tettnanger
Pairs with Hallertau (for a complete Bavarian profile), Saaz (for a classic Bohemian/German blend), Tettnanger (to amplify herbal spice)
Beer Styles Altbier, German Pilsner, Helles, Bock, Kolsch, Munich Lager

General Information

Country Germany
Aliases Spalter, Spalt Spalter, Spalter Spalt, German Spalt
Storage Stability
Retains 75% alpha acid

Brewing Chemistry (Acids & Oils)

Alpha Acid 2.5 - 5.5%
Beta Acid 3.0 - 5.0%
Cohumulone 20.0 - 28.0%
Total Oil 0.9 - 1.4 ml/100g
Myrcene 20.0 - 35.0%
Humulene 20.0 - 30.0%
Caryophyllene 8.0 - 13.0%
Farnesene 12.0 - 22.0%
Linalool 0.5 - 0.8%
Geraniol ~0.2%
Total Polyphenols 4.0 - 5.0%

Growth & Cultivation

Yield 1,200 - 1,500 lbs/acre
Maturity Early to mid-season
Susceptible Downy Mildew, Aphid, Verticillium Wilt
Growth Rate Moderate to high
Cones Small, dense, and oval-shaped with a rich, golden lupulin content
Ease of Harvest Moderate; while the bines are manageable, the lower yield per acre requires careful handling to pres
Sex Female
Leaf Color Medium green
Side Arm Length 12" - 24"

Spalt Aroma/Flavor Profile

Discovery Tags

Flavor/Aroma
Cedar Citrus Dried Flowers Earthy Herbal Pepper Spicy Sweet Hay Woody
Variety Name
Hallertau Saaz Spalter Select Tettnanger
Beer Style
Altbier Bock German Pilsner Helles Kolsch Munich Lager
Usage
Aroma
Origin
Germany
Last Updated
  • 2026-03-30 16:00:10
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.