Superdelic™ Hops: Profile & Substitutions

Description

Superdelic™ is the newest heavyweight champion of the New Zealand hop industry, officially released in 2023 by New Zealand Hops Ltd after more than a decade of rigorous development. Bred in 2012 by the legendary Dr. Ron Beatson at Plant & Food Research, this high-performance triploid variety was born from a cross between a classic European variety and a proprietary New Zealand male.

During its time in small-plot trials, Superdelic™ proved it was more than just a flavor powerhouse; it showed incredible vigor, high yields, and a unique natural resistance to mite damage. It was engineered to push the boundaries of aromatic intensity, offering a chemical composition specifically optimized for biotransformation. For the modern brewer, Superdelic™ represents the next evolution of the "saturated" fruit character that has made New Zealand hops world-famous.

Substitution Tip

If you can't find Superdelic, the best alternatives are Citra®, Motueka™, Nelson Sauvin™, or Riwaka™.

At A Glance

Profile Red Fruit, Ripe Strawberry, Raspberry, Tropical Fruit, Citrus, Sweet Mango, Bubblegum, Melon
Purpose Aroma
Alpha Acid 9.0 - 10.5%
Substitutes Citra®, Motueka™, Nelson Sauvin™, Riwaka™
Pairs with Motueka™ (to add a zesty lime edge), Nectaron® (for an ultimate tropical powerhouse blend), Nelson Sauvin™ (for a white wine/berry complexity)
Beer Styles Hazy India Pale Ale, Northeast India Pale Ale, West Coast India Pale Ale, New Zealand Pilsner

General Information

Country New Zealand
Alias NZH-102

Brewing Chemistry (Acids & Oils)

Alpha Acid 9.0 - 10.5%
Beta Acid 3.0 - 5.0%
Cohumulone 26.0 - 30.0%
Total Oil 1.3 - 2.2 ml/100g
Myrcene 35.0 - 45.0%
Humulene 15.0 - 20.0%
Caryophyllene 5.0 - 10.0%
Farnesene < 1.0%
Linalool 0.4 - 0.7%
B-Pinene 0.1 - 0.3%
Geraniol 0.2 - 0.4%

Growth & Cultivation

Yield High
Maturity Mid-to-Late Season
Growth Rate Very high
Cones Large, loose, and elongated—optimized for maximum lupulin production
Ease of Harvest Excellent; robust bines and large cone sets make it highly efficient for machine picking
Sex Female
Leaf Color Medium green
Side Arm Length 20" - 35"

Discovery Tags

Flavor/Aroma
Bubblegum Citrus Mango Melon Raspberry Strawberry Tropical Fruit
Variety Name
Citra Motueka Nectaron Nelson Sauvin Riwaka
Beer Style
Hazy India Pale Ale New Zealand Pilsner Northeast India Pale Ale West Coast India Pale Ale
Usage
Aroma
Origin
New Zealand
Breeding/Supplier
New Zealand Hops Ltd Plant & Food Research
Last Updated
  • 2026-03-23 19:34:15
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

  • #Stone-Fruit (Orchard Vibe)

    Saturday is for smooth sipping. From fuzzy peach to ripe apricot, these hops add a soft, rounded sweetness to the aroma of Pale Ales and Sours. Explore #Stone-Fruit 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.