Items found matching the tag "pepper"
Akoya™ was bred by Hopsteiner Breeding Program and is cross between Zenith and a Hopsteiner male. Akoya™ is a classic aroma hop based on its herbal and spice profile.
Hallertauer Taurus was bred in Hüll, Germany and released in 1995 at the Hop Research Center. This is a high alpha acid variety with a clean and crisp bitterness.
Opal was bred by Hüll Hop Research Institute in 2001, released commercially in 2004. The hop has not been well received the commercial breweries.
Released commercially in 1978, Perle was bred in Hüll, Germany at the Hop Research Center, is a cross between Northern Brewer and German male. Perle was bred to create a more resistant version of Hallertau.
Progress is a distinguished British aroma hop that captures a pivotal moment in the evolution of English brewing. Bred in 1951 at Wye College by Horticulture Research International and commercially released in 1964, it was engineered by Professor Neve to be the successor to Fuggle. This variety was born from a cross between a Whitbread Golding Variety (WGV) female and a US male plant, specifically designed to combat the Verticillium Wilt that plagued traditional Fuggle gardens. While it brought improved vigor and higher yields to growers, it became a favorite of brewers for its sophisticated, mellow profile and refined balance, serving as a cornerstone for traditional cask ales and heritage bitters. The sensory profile of Progress is a masterful arrangement of soft bitterness and classic English spice. It leads with a primary, "mellow" bouquet of sweet honey, fresh-cut grass, and a refined floral sweetness, followed by a sophisticated secondary layer of earthy mint and cedar. As the profile develops, brewers will find a subtle, marmalade-like fruitiness and a clean, peppery spice that is notably brighter and less "grassy" than a traditional Fuggle. Thanks to its high humulene content and low cohumulone levels, Progress delivers a smooth, rounded bitterness and a polished finish, making it the definitive choice for a timeless British character with a clean aromatic edge.
Record is a vintage Belgian aroma hop that represents a golden era of European hop breeding. Developed in 1958 (registered pre-1970), it was engineered through the open pollination of Northern Brewer and Saaz to bridge the gap between robust field performance and delicate "Noble" finesse. For decades, it was a staple in Belgian hop gardens, particularly in Flanders, prized for its reliable yields in cool, temperate climates. While it has become a niche variety in the modern market, Record is revered by traditionalists for its "Noble-plus" character—offering a slightly more assertive profile than a standard Saaz while remaining perfectly balanced for classic continental styles. The sensory profile of Record is a sophisticated blend of rustic spice and gentle floral sweetness, with aroma characteristics reminiscent of its Northern Brewer heritage. It leads with a primary, "old-world" bouquet of fresh wildflowers, sweet hay, and a distinct peppery spiciness. As the profile develops, brewers will find secondary notes of mint, pine, and a subtle earthiness that provides a more rugged complexity than its Saaz parentage. Thanks to its balanced oil composition and moderate alpha-acid levels, Record delivers a clean, smooth bitterness and a refined finish, making it the definitive choice for authentic Belgian ales or European pilsners with a polished aromatic depth.
Riwaka™ is a legendary aroma hop that stands as the crown jewel of the New Zealand hop industry. Released in 1997 by the Plant & Food Research program, it was originally designated "B Saaz" due to its direct lineage from the classic Czech Saaz landrace. This variety is a true "brewer’s hop," prized for its exceptionally high total oil content that delivers an aromatic intensity far beyond its modest alpha acid percentage. Because it is famously temperamental in the field and requires specific climatic conditions to thrive, its annual harvest is one of the most anticipated events in the craft beer world. Riwaka™ remains the definitive choice for those seeking a high-impact, "New World" character that retains a sophisticated, noble-derived structural elegance. The sensory profile of Riwaka™ is a concentrated explosion of pungent citrus and tropical fruit. It is world-renowned for its signature "pink grapefruit" character, which leads a primary bouquet of passionfruit, sweet kumquat, and a distinct "dank" or "diesel" edge common in high-myrcene New Zealand varieties. As the profile develops, brewers will find subtle secondary notes of green tea and a soft, peppery spiciness that pays homage to its Saaz heritage. Thanks to its massive myrcene content and unique oil composition, Riwaka™ delivers a lush, saturated aromatic presence and a clean, refreshing finish, making it an essential component for modern, fruit-forward beer styles.
Saaz is arguably the most famous hop variety in the world and the undisputed gold standard for "Noble" aroma. Officially registered in 1952 but with a history dating back over 700 years to the town of Žatec (German: Saaz) in the Czech Republic, this landrace variety is the soul of the traditional Bohemian Pilsner. Distinguished in the field by its reddish bines and delicate foliage, Saaz is a true original. While its low alpha acid content and susceptibility to disease make it "inefficient" by modern agricultural standards, it remains a preferred choice for brewers who demand a refined, historical character that cannot be replicated by modern hybrids. The sensory profile of Saaz is a symphony of sophisticated, warm notes that define the classic "Hoppy" aroma. It leads with a primary, "perfumed" bouquet of soft earth, fresh herbs, and a distinct peppery spiciness. As the profile develops, brewers will find delicate floral overtones of chamomile and wildflower, supported by warm, woody undertones. Because of its exceptionally high farnesene content and low cohumulone levels, Saaz delivers a remarkably smooth, non-lingering bitterness and a crisp, clean finish. It is the definitive choice for supporting—rather than overwhelming—the delicate sweetness of premium Pilsner malts.
Saaz (US) is a premier domestic tribute to the world’s most famous "Noble" hop, cultivated in the fertile valleys of the Pacific Northwest. This American-grown version of the Czech landrace classic originated from a Czechoslovakian Saaz seedling received by the United States Department of Agriculture in 1973. While it is notoriously difficult to grow and produces a lower yield than many modern cultivars, it offers brewers a reliable, high-quality aromatic profile that honors its European heritage. Expected to be related to Hersbrucker and Spalt, the unique terroir of the United States imparts a subtle domestic robustness to this lineage, often resulting in a slightly higher resin content and a bright, clean finish that American craft brewers demand. The sensory profile of Saaz (US) is a masterclass in elegant herbal complexity with a uniquely American twist. It leads with a primary, "perfumed" bouquet of fresh-cut hay, spring wildflowers, and a distinct peppery spiciness that is the hallmark of the Saaz lineage. As the profile develops, brewers will find a soft, earthy woodiness and a subtle, bright citrus note that is slightly more pronounced than its Czech counterpart. Thanks to its high farnesene content and balanced oil composition, US Saaz delivers a remarkably smooth, non-lingering bitterness and a crisp finish, making it the definitive choice for imparting a classic continental character with a touch of modern domestic clarity.
Shinshuwase is the cornerstone of Japanese hop heritage, representing over a century of brewing tradition. Developed in the early 1900s as an open-pollinated cross between Saaz and White Vine-OP, it remains a major variety exclusive to Japan. As a "wase" (early-ripening) cultivar, it was specifically acclimated to the terroir of the Nagano (Shinshu) region, allowing farmers to harvest high-quality aroma hops before late-season weather challenges. Though now considered a boutique legacy variety, Shinshuwase is revered for its "Noble" pedigree, offering the refined, gentle character that defined the crisp profile of early 20th-century Japanese lagers. The sensory profile of Shinshuwase is one of understated sophistication and delicate balance. True to its Saaz ancestry, it leads with a primary, "perfumed" bouquet of fresh-cut hay[tag], spring [tag]wildflowers, and a distinct peppery spiciness. As the profile develops, brewers will find subtle, clean notes of lemon zest and a soft herbal woodiness reminiscent of green tea. Because of its high humulene and farnesene content, Shinshuwase delivers a remarkably smooth, non-lingering bitterness and a crisp finish. It is the definitive choice for brewers seeking a polished elegance that perfectly elevates light malt backbones and traditional rice-adjunct lagers.
Sládek, which translates to "Brewer" or "Brewmaster" in its native Czech tongue, represents the pinnacle of modern Bohemian breeding from the Hop Research Institute in Žatec. Originally registered in 1987 and officially renamed in 1994, it was developed from a cross between the delicate Saaz and the hardy Northern Brewer. This specific lineage was engineered to create a sturdier, more agriculturally resilient version of Saaz that offers improved resin content while maintaining a "Noble" soul. Now serving as a foundational mother hop to varieties like Bohemie, Sládek has become an indispensable tool for brewers seeking an authentic old-world character with a more impactful aromatic presence. The sensory profile of Sládek is a masterclass in clean, fruit-inflected herbal complexity, perfectly balanced for traditional lagers. It leads with a primary, "Czech" bouquet of fresh-cut hay, sweet resins, and a peppery spiciness that honors its Saaz heritage. As the profile opens, brewers will find bright, modern fruity undertones of white peach, grapefruit, and ripe melon, layered over a soft floral background of chamomile and wildflowers. Thanks to its exceptionally high humulene content and low cohumulone levels, Sládek delivers a remarkably smooth, velvety bitterness and a crisp finish, making it the definitive choice for a polished, modern Bohemian character.
Southern Brewer is a historic pillar of the global hop trade and the variety that essentially launched commercial hop farming in South Africa. Released in 1972 by South African Breweries (SAB), it was developed from a seedling selection of Fuggle N to specifically handle the shorter summer daylight conditions of the Southern Hemisphere. While originally bred as a high-alpha descendant of the legendary Fuggle, its rare genetic resilience allowed it to thrive where other European varieties failed, serving for decades as the primary bittering workhorse of the region. The sensory profile is a sophisticated arrangement of rustic earthiness and deep, herbal spice. True to its Fuggle ancestry, it leads with a primary bouquet of forest floor, sweet hay, and damp wood, followed by a refined, peppery spiciness. While often utilized as a clean bittering hop with a firm, lingering finish, it can reveal subtle undertones of blackcurrant and a soft floral lift when used in larger quantities. It remains the definitive choice for brewers seeking a reliable, old-world performance that imparts a clean, authentic British or early-generation South African character to ales and lagers.
Sovereign is a distinguished British aroma hop that represents the refined evolution of the traditional English hop profile. Bred by Dr. Peter Darby at the Hop Research Institute of Wye College from an open pollination in 1995, it was officially released in 2006. As a grand-daughter of Pioneer, Sovereign was developed to offer the reliability and vigor of modern cultivars while preserving the delicate, soulful aromatics that have defined British brewing for centuries. Sovereign provides a more nuanced and "perfumed" character than many of its contemporaries. While it works beautifully as a standalone hop, it is prized by brewers for its ability to add layers of complexity to a blend. It is an essential variety for those who demand a classic UK presence—earthy, floral, and slightly spicy—but with a clean, high-quality oil composition that translates perfectly into both traditional cask ales and modern craft styles.
Spalt (often called Spalt Spalter) is the quintessential German Noble hop and one of the most historically significant cultivars in the world. As a natural landrace variety native to the Spalt region of Bavaria, its roots may date back as far as the 8th century. Its importance to brewing history is so profound that in 1538, it became the first hop variety ever granted the German hop seal—a testament to its centuries of elite status. Part of the legendary Saaz family, Spalt is defined by an extreme aromatic delicacy heavily influenced by the unique red-brown soils of its home district. Unlike modern high-alpha hybrids engineered for raw power, Spalt is grown strictly for its exquisite finesse. It remains the definitive choice for brewers seeking the most authentic, prestigious, and timeless European character for traditional German styles.
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.
Sterling is a masterful American aroma hop that brings the legendary refinement of the Old World into the modern era. Developed by the United States Department of Agriculture breeding program in 1990 and officially released in 1998, Sterling was specifically engineered to be a domestic successor to the classic Czech Saaz, which at the time suffered from unreliable availability. Researchers created this "complex" variety (some might call it a high-bred mutt) by crossing Saaz (50%) with Cascade (25%), Brewer's Gold, and Early Green. This pedigree allows Sterling to possess the delicate "Noble" characteristics of its ancestors while offering the improved vigor and resin content of American cultivars. It has become a cornerstone for craft brewers who require a clean, sophisticated aromatic profile for traditional lagers, proving that domestic hops can achieve a level of elegance equal to the finest European landrace varieties.
Summit™ is a revolutionary American variety that fundamentally changed the landscape of hop cultivation upon its release in 2003. Developed by the American Dwarf Hop Association and occasionally referred to as Latitude 46, Summit™ was specifically engineered as a semi-dwarf, high-alpha variety suitable for "short-wire" farming. Its lineage is a complex Washington state "gaggle," born from a cross involving Columbus / Tomahawk / Zeus (CTZ), Nugget, and various male seedlings. Despite its compact stature in the field, Summit™ is an agricultural heavyweight, boasting some of the highest alpha acid percentages in the industry. It was built for extreme performance, offering brewers a high-efficiency tool for achieving deep, structural bitterness. Beyond its commercial utility, it has become a cult staple in the craft community for its aggressive, uncompromising aromatic profile and its role in the "Dank" hop movement of the early 2000s.