Saaz Hops: Profile & Substitutions

Description

Saaz, a noble hop, is low in alpha acids but is still used for bittering quite often. Saaz was officially registered in 1952 but dates back at least 700 years, originating in the Czech Republic. It is one of the original noble hops. Saaz has issue with disease and low growth rate.

Substitution Tip

If you can't find Saaz, the best alternatives are Amarillo®, Centennial, Saaz (US), or Sterling.

At A Glance

Profile Noble, Herbal, earthy, and floral notes.
Purpose Aroma
Alpha Acid 2.0 - 5.0%
Substitutes Amarillo®, Centennial, Saaz (US), Sterling
Beer Styles Lager, Wheat Ale

General Information

Country Czechoslovakia
Aliases Czech Saaz, Saazer, Czech Saazer
Storage Stability
Retains 45%-50% alpha acid contents after 6 months of storage at 68°F.

Brewing Chemistry (Acids & Oils)

Alpha Acid 2.0 - 5.0%
Beta Acid 4.0 - 6.0%
Cohumulone 0.4 - 0.7 mg/100g
Total Oil 24.0 - 28.0%
Myrcene 25.0 - 42.0%
Humulene 15.0 - 30.0%
Caryophyllene 6.0 - 9.0%
Farnesene 14.0 - 20.0%
Linalool 0.4 - 0.6%
B-Pinene 0.4 - 0.8%
Geraniol 0.2%

Growth & Cultivation

Yield 714 - 1071 lbs/acre
Maturity Medium early
Resistant Verticillium wilt
Tolerant Downy mildew, powdery mildew
Growth Rate Moderate
Cones Small to medium size with loose to moderate density.
Sex Female
Leaf Color Medium green
Side Arm Length 6" - 10"

Saaz Aroma/Flavor Profile

Discovery Tags

Flavor/Aroma
Earthy Floral Herbal
Variety Name
Amarillo Centennial Noble Saaz (us) Sterling
Beer Style
Lagers Wheat Ales
Usage
Aroma
Origin
Czechoslovakia
Last Updated
  • 2020-11-24 08:42:10
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

  • #Citrus (Crowd Pleaser)

    Start the week fresh. From bright grapefruit to zesty lime, citrus is the backbone of the modern craft beer revolution. Discover the hops that give your favorite IPAs that signature "zing." Explore #Citrus 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.