Spalter Select Hops: Profile & Substitutions

Description

Spalter Select is a sophisticated German aroma hop that represents the perfect marriage of ancient tradition and modern agricultural science. Released in 1991 by the renowned Hüll Hop Research Center, it was specifically engineered as a more disease-resistant successor to the traditional Spalt landrace.

By crossing the delicate Spalt variety with the robust Hallertau Mittelfrüh, researchers created a hop that preserves the "Noble" essence of its ancestors while introducing the vigor and storage stability required for modern brewing. Since its official release in 1993, Spalter Select has become a cornerstone variety in the production of world-class German lagers, offering brewers the rare ability to achieve authentic, old-world aromatics with contemporary reliability.

Substitution Tip

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

At A Glance

Profile Herbal, Spicy, Fresh-Cut Hay, Dried Wildflowers, Sweet Resins, Woody, Cedar, Fresh Earth, Pepper
Purpose Aroma
Alpha Acid 3.0 - 6.5%
Substitutes Hallertau, Liberty, Saaz, Saaz (US), Spalt, Tettnanger, Tettnanger (US)
Pairs with Hallertauer Tradition (to ground the floral notes), Hersbrucker (for a classic and integrated Noble profile), Tettnanger (for added herbal spice)
Beer Styles German Pilsner, Helles, Altbier, Kolsch, Belgian Ale, Bock

General Information

Country Germany
Aliases Select, Select Spalt, Spalt Select
Storage Stability
Retains 80% alpha acid

Brewing Chemistry (Acids & Oils)

Alpha Acid 3.0 - 6.5%
Beta Acid 3.0 - 5.0%
Cohumulone 20.0 - 28.0%
Total Oil 0.6 - 1.2 ml /100g
Myrcene 20.0 - 40.0%
Humulene 20.0 - 30.0%
Caryophyllene 8.0 - 13.0%
Farnesene 10.0 - 15.0%
Linalool 0.7 - 1.1%
Geraniol ~0.2%
Total Polyphenols 4.0 - 5.0%

Growth & Cultivation

Yield 1,700 - 1,950 lbs/acre
Maturity Med to late season
Resistant Downy Mildew (high)
Tolerant Verticillium Wilt, common European hop viruses
Growth Rate High
Cones Small to medium-sized, oval, and very dense with a vibrant pale-green color
Ease of Harvest Excellent; specifically selected for its suitability for modern mechanical picking and its resilienc
Sex Female
Leaf Color Medium green
Side Arm Length 20" - 30"

Spalter Select Aroma/Flavor Profile

Discovery Tags

Flavor/Aroma
Cedar Dried Wildflowers Earthy Fresh-cut Hay Herbal Pepper Spicy Sweet Resins Woody
Variety Name
Hallertau Hallertauer Tradition Hersbrucker Liberty Saaz Spalt Tettnanger
Beer Style
Altbier Belgian Ale Bock German Pilsner Helles Kolsch
Usage
Aroma
Origin
Germany
Breeding/Supplier
Hop Research Center
Last Updated
  • 2026-03-30 09:18:25
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

  • #Floral (The Delicate Finish)

    A mellow Sunday pour. From jasmine to dried rose petals, floral hops provide a sophisticated aroma without overpowering the palate. Perfect for delicate Belgian styles. Explore #Floral 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.