Rakau hop substitutes

Ranked alternatives and side-by-side flavor comparisons when you cannot get Rakau, or when you want a similar profile in your recipe. Match scores are estimates—always taste your brew.

Rakau substitute hops

Curated:Amarillo, Summit, Nelson Sauvin, Waimea.

Calculated matches:Hallertau Blanc (93.7%) ; Crystal (92.6%) ; Loral (92.6%) ; Sabro (92.6%) ; Mandarina Bavaria (92.3%) ; Warrior (92%) ; Sterling (92%) ; Tahoma (92%) .

Use the interactive tool below to change brewing goal, compare radar charts, and explore blends.

Brewing goal
Search for a hop to see substitute recommendations.

Full Rakau hop profile →

How the Hop Substitutor works

Our hop substitution calculator analyzes data from the brewing hops catalog :

  • Alpha acid range: Matching bitterness potential so your IBUs stay in the ballpark.
  • Essential oil profiles: Comparing myrcene, humulene, caryophyllene, farnesene, and related chemistry.
  • Sensory radar data: Evaluating citrus, tropical fruit, pine, resin, floral, and other descriptor axes.

Common reasons to substitute hops

  1. Availability: Your homebrew shop is out of a proprietary or high-demand variety.
  2. Cost and freshness: Finding a budget-friendly or fresher crop alternative with a similar profile.
  3. Recipe experimentation: Blending complementary hops or swapping one aroma hop for a close match.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the Hop Substitutor calculate match percentages?
We combine aroma and flavor radar chart data with chemistry fields such as alpha acids and major hop oils (myrcene, humulene, caryophyllene, and others). Match scores are estimates—always taste your brew before committing to a swap.
What is the difference between curated and calculated substitutes?
Curated substitutes come from our hop catalog editorial data. Calculated matches rank other varieties in the database by similarity for your chosen brewing goal (aroma, bittering, or dual purpose).
Can I compare two hops on a flavor radar chart?
Yes. Click Compare on any calculated match to load side-by-side aroma and flavor radar charts for your selected hop and the substitute.
Is the Hop Substitutor free to use?
Yes. The Hop Substitutor is a free tool on Two Beer Dudes for homebrewers and craft beer fans exploring hop alternatives.