Santiam Hops: Profile & Substitutions

Description

Santiam is a premier American-bred aroma hop that serves as a sophisticated tribute to the legendary "Noble" varieties of Germany. Released in 1997 by the United States Department of Agriculture Research Service in Corvallis, Oregon, it is a unique triploid cross derived from Tettnanger, Hallertau Mittelfrüh, and an unknown USDA male (descended from Cascade). This heritage allows Santiam to deliver the delicate, refined aromatic profile of its European ancestors while thriving in the Pacific Northwest. It is a boutique variety prized for its incredible chemical purity—specifically its high farnesene content and low cohumulone levels—which ensures a high-quality, soft bitterness and a polished finish that bridges the gap between old-world elegance and modern domestic reliability.

The sensory profile of Santiam is a masterful arrangement of soft floral sweetness and refined herbal spice. It leads with a primary, "perfumed" bouquet of fresh wildflowers/[tag], [tag]lavender, and sweet hay, followed by a sophisticated spicy black pepper undertone reminiscent of classic Tettnanger. As the profile develops, brewers will find subtle, bright notes of lemon zest and a soft woodiness that remains remarkably clean. Because of its high beta-acid content and balanced oil composition, Santiam delivers a remarkably smooth, velvety bitterness and a crisp finish, making it the perfect choice for elevating delicate lagers and Belgian-style ales.

Substitution Tip

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

At A Glance

Profile Floral Sweetness, Herbal, Spicy, Fresh Wildflowers, Lavender, Sweet Hay, Black Pepper, Lemon Zest, Woody
Purpose Aroma
Alpha Acid 5.0 - 7.0%
Substitutes Hallertau, Liberty, Spalter Select, Tettnanger
Pairs with Hallertauer Tradition (for a classic/integrated European pilsner blend), Liberty (for a cleaner floral profile), Sterling (to amplify the spicy herbal notes)
Beer Styles Pilsner, Lager, Kolsch, Belgian Wit, American Wheat, Bock

General Information

Country United States
Storage Stability
Retains 40% - 50% alpha acid

Brewing Chemistry (Acids & Oils)

Alpha Acid 5.0 - 7.0%
Beta Acid 6.0 - 8.5%
Cohumulone 20.0 - 24.0%
Total Oil 1.3 - 1.7 ml/100g
Myrcene 25.0 - 36.0%
Humulene 23.0 - 26.0%
Caryophyllene 10.0 - 15.0%
Farnesene 13.0 - 16.0%
Linalool 0.5 - 0.8%
Geraniol ~0.2%

Growth & Cultivation

Yield 1,700 - 2,100 lbs/acre
Maturity Early to mid season
Resistant Downy Mildew
Susceptible Powdery mildew
Growth Rate Moderate to high
Cones Small to medium-sized, oval, and moderately dense with a high concentration of fine, aromatic lupuli
Ease of Harvest Excellent; the bines are structurally sound and the cones are resilient to mechanical picking.
Sex Female
Leaf Color Medium green
Side Arm Length 20" - 30"

Discovery Tags

Flavor/Aroma
Black Pepper Floral Fresh Wildflowers Herbal Lavender Lemon Zest Spicy Sweet Hay Woody
Variety Name
Cascade Hallertau Liberty Spalter Select Sterling Tettnanger
Beer Style
American Wheat Belgian Wit Bock Kolsch Lager Pilsner
Usage
Aroma
Origin
United States
Breeding/Supplier
United States Department Of Agriculture
Last Updated
  • 2026-04-06 18:56:16
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

  • #Pine (West Coast Classic)

    Kick off the weekend with a classic. Think forest floors and fresh resin. These hops provide that iconic, "crispy" evergreen aroma that defined the original American IPA. Explore #Pine 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.