Items found matching the tag "saaz"
Agnus was released in 2001 by Hop Research Institute in Žatec, Czech Republic. High oil content makes this a useful for dry hopping yielding herbal and spicy notes. Bred from descendants of Sládek, Saaz, Northern Brewer, Bor and Fuggle. The name is derived from the Latin meaning of the person (Frantisek Beranek) attributed to breeding the hop at the Hop Research Institute. While often used for its clean bitterness in German-style ales, its unique lychee and orange zest undertones allow it to bridge the gap between old-world spice and modern fruity profiles.
Bohemie was bred by Hop Research Institute in Žatec, Czechia with heritage of Sládek mother and unknown variety derived from Saaz. Released in 2010 with a goal of providing "noble" characteristics while increasing yield, concentrating oil profile, and increasing disease resistance. Even though it is tougher than Saaz in wet/humid climates it needs a watchful eye. Considered more of an aroma hop based on noble heritage, it carries bolder aromatics compared to Saaz with higher alpha acid content that allows it to be used for bittering.
Dr. Rudi was bred by HortResearch as a an open pollination of Smoothcone. Released in 1976. A true definition of a dual use as it has smoother bitterness and good aroma qualities. Originally named Super Alpha but renamed in 2012 in honor of the "father of New Zealand hops", Dr. Rudi Roborgh. There isn't a direct substitute.
Hallertauer Tradition is a German hop that is great for German style beers. Originally bred because of it's resistance to disease at the Hüll Hop Research Institute in Germany in 1993. Heritage of Hallertau, Saaz and unknown varieties.
Kazbek was bred by Hop Research Institute in Žatec, Czech Republic from Saaz and a wild hop similar to Cascade. Its aroma is similar to Saaz but more intense. Released in 2008. It is named for the Kazbek peak, one of the highest in the Caucasus mountain range. Great in beers that need an intense noble hop profile.
Lubelski has heritage from Saaz which come through in the fine aroma characteristics. Despite being mostly used by Polish breweries, this hop originated in Zatec, Czech Republic.
Lucan was a clonal selection of another Czechoslovakian hop, Zatecky Krajovy, made by the Hop Research Institute in Zatec, Czechoslovakia. One of the oldest Czechoslovakian recognized varieties, it is grown in limited acreage. Very closely related to Saaz.
Motueka™ was bred by New Zealand's Plant & Food Research, a triploid descendant of Saaz. A great dual purpose hop.
Paradigm™ was developed by Great Lakes Hops. The hops shines in late kettle additions to let the flavor and aroma come through.
United States version of Saaz was started from a Czechoslovakian Saaz seedling which was received by United States Department of Agriculture in 1973. Difficult to grow and a low yield. Saaz (US) is expected to be related to Hersbrucker and Spalt.
Sirem was a clone of Zatecky Krajovy which is a presumed Saaz clone at the Hop Research Institute in Zalec, Yugoslavia. Based on this heritage Sirem has pleasant noble aroma. Pour growth rate and yield have led to it only being grown in limited acreage in Czechoslovakia but exported under a variety of aliases: Saaz, Bohemian Red, and/or Aurum.
Sládek has parentage from a cross between Saaz and Northern Brewer. Sládek means "brewer". Initially registered in 1987, named changed to Sládek in 1994. Bred to be a sturdier version of Saaz. A mother hop to Bohemie. Bred by Hop Research Institute in Žatec, Czechia. Good balance of bitterness and aroma that fits perfectly for lagers.
Grown in the Spalt region of Germany, Spalt is a natural hop and has a mild and pleasant character. Part of the Saaz family. A classic hop for German style beers. Due to Spalt being a natural hop, this hop may date back as far back as 8th century. It was the first hop granted the German hop seal in the 16th century.
Spalter Select is a more disease resistant version and replacement for Spalt released in 1993. It was bred in Hull, Germany and is a cross between Splat and Hallertau. Spalter Select was released in 1991 by the Hop Research Center of Hull.
Sterling was bred by United States Department of Agriculture in 1990, released in 1998. Sterling is typically considered an aroma hop but may be used for bittering. It was cultivated to be a replacement for Saaz due to unreliable availability. The hop is a bit of a mutt (or you could say complex) with heritage from Saaz (50%), Cascade (25%), Brewer's Gold, Early Green as well as other Eurpean varieties.
Styrian Celeia, almost a carbon copy of Fuggle hops, is a low alpha varietal with traditional European aroma. It is a triploid from Styrian Golding, Styrian Aurora and wild Slovenian hop. Not well received, therefore isn't wildly grown.
Sunbeam is a cross from Saaz and open pollination by Dr. Al Haunold in 1990 at the Hop experimental farm, East Farm, Corvallis, OR. Considered an ornamental diploid plant, it was never meant for commercial production, but the Saaz-like aroma makes it great for lagers. The plan is sensitive to sunlight due to reduced chlorophyll content, therefore semi-shade is needed to keep the leaves from shriveling and browning.
Saaz lineage grant Sylva perfect suitability for lagers and pilsners. Bred in 1997 by Hop Products Australia.
Tettnanger is one of the four original "Noble Hops" of Europe, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Saaz, Spalt, and Hallertauer. Named after the town of Tettnang in Southern Germany, this landrace variety has a pedigree that can be traced back to 1844, with some records suggesting its cultivation in the Lake Constance region as early as 1150. Unlike modern high-alpha hybrids, Tettnanger is a product of its environment. It has evolved in perfect harmony with the unique soil and microclimate of its home district, creating a delicate chemical profile that simply cannot be replicated elsewhere. While there are US, Australian, and Swiss versions of this hop, the German original remains the definitive cornerstone of traditional European brewing. It offers a level of sophisticated elegance that defines the classic profiles of world-class Pilsners and Lagers.
Toyomidori is a vintage high-alpha variety from Japan, released in 1990 by the Kirin Brewery Hop Research Farm. Bred in 1981, it was developed as a robust cross between the legendary Northern Brewer and a wild American male (USDA 64103M). Toyomidori was engineered to be the heavy-hitting bittering foundation for Japan’s iconic crisp lagers, providing high-efficiency alpha acids for large-scale production. While its commercial cultivation in Japan eventually declined due to a high sensitivity to downy mildew, Toyomidori’s DNA lives on in the modern "juice" revolution. It is the direct genetic parent of the tropical powerhouse Azacca™, proving that even a "workhorse" bittering hop can pass on incredible aromatic potential to the next generation. For brewers, it represents a classic era of Japanese hop science that paved the way for the modern craft movement.
Ultra is a sophisticated, American-bred aroma hop that serves as a bridge between the legendary hop yards of Europe and the modern American grower. Released in 1995 as part of a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) initiative, Ultra was engineered to be the ultimate "Noble" replacement. It is a triploid variety—meaning it has three sets of chromosomes—which gives it a more robust growth habit and higher oil potential than many of its ancestors. Its pedigree is a "Who's Who" of European royalty, featuring a direct cross between Hallertau, Saaz, and a third unknown hop. This genetic blend allows Ultra to capture the refined, aristocratic essence of continental hops while offering the agricultural resilience needed to resist pests and diseases that often plague imported varieties. For the brewer, it represents a perfect marriage: Old World elegance met with New World reliability.
Universal is a heritage variety with a cinematic history, serving as a vital bridge between Old World tradition and the American craft movement. Developed at the world-renowned Hop Research Institute in Žatec, Czechoslovakia, it was originally bred to be a robust successor to the classic Saaz. However, in a strange twist of fate, it was officially delisted and abandoned by commercial growers in its homeland in 1991. While it vanished from European soil, Universal found a second life in the United States. Since 1988, it has been cultivated in the Pacific Northwest, where it transformed from a forgotten experiment into a "darling" of the 1990s craft scene. Brewers celebrate it as a "Super-Noble" hop: a variety that preserves the elegant, aristocratic characteristics of a classic Czech landrace but possesses the agricultural muscle to thrive in the rugged soils of the American West.
Vanguard represents the final chapter in the United States Department of Agriculture's ambitious mission to domesticate the classic "Noble" character of European landrace hops. Bred in 1982 and officially released in 1997, it is a direct descendant of Hallertau Mittelfrüh. It was engineered to provide American growers with a hearty, disease-resistant plant that could finally go toe-to-toe with the world's most famous German lager hops. What makes Vanguard a true outlier in the hop yard is its unusual chemical fingerprint. It is one of the rare varieties that features low alpha acids but high beta acids. This rare balance, combined with exceptional storage stability, makes it a reliable and sophisticated choice for brewers who demand traditional, clean-finishing European styles without the logistical headache of importing delicate overseas flowers.
Vital is a cutting-edge Czech variety that represents a fascinating shift in modern hop breeding. Developed at the Hop Research Institute in Žatec (the home of Saaz) and released in 2008, Vital was originally bred for pharmaceutical purposes. Its mission was to maximize the concentration of specific antioxidants and "healthy" hop compounds like Xanthohumol and DMX. Bred from a lineage involving Agnus, Vital was registered as a "biomedical" hop due to its incredible anti-oxidative stability. For the brewer, this translates to a beer that stays "fresher" for longer. While it offers the high-alpha bittering efficiency of a modern hybrid, it retains the refined European soul of its Czech heritage. It is the perfect choice for those who want the muscle of a bittering hop without losing the delicate prestige synonymous with the Žatec region.
Waimea™ is a high-alpha force of nature, released in 2012 by the New Zealand Institute for Plant & Food Research. It was originally bred to meet the growing demand for efficient bittering hops that didn’t sacrifice aromatic soul. Its lineage is an impressive "greatest hits" of brewing history, pulling genetic traits from Saaz, Fuggle, and California Late Cluster. Despite its "big beer" reputation and alpha acid levels that can soar up to 19%, Waimea is far from a blunt instrument. It was engineered with exceptionally low cohumulone levels, ensuring that its massive bittering potential remains smooth and clean rather than harsh. This unique balance has made it a favorite for brewers who need the sheer muscle for a 60-minute boil but want the sophisticated, fruit-forward nuance required for a world-class dry hop.
Developed at the historic Wye College in 1968, Wye Saxon was bred to be a bridge between Britain and the European mainland. A sister to Wye Viking, its pedigree traces back to Svalöf - a legendary Swedish hop that is now extinct in commercial farming. While many British hops are known for heavy spice and earth, Wye Saxon was engineered to mimic the refined, "Noble" traits of German and Czech varieties. Though largely utilized for breeding programs rather than mass-market production, Wye Saxon remains a fascinating niche variety. It offers growers a sturdy defense against Verticillium wilt while providing brewers with the delicate, floral elegance usually reserved for traditional Hallertau or Saaz.
Released in 2013 by Washington State University, Yakima Gold is a masterfully bred "American-Noble" hybrid. Its name pays homage to the world-renowned Yakima Valley, where it was developed to combine the hardy, time-tested genetics of Early Cluster with the sophisticated aromatic heritage of Slovenian Styrian Golding. For the brewer, Yakima Gold represents the best of both worlds: the vigorous growth and high oil content of a Washington-grown hop, paired with the delicate, refined bitterness typically reserved for traditional European cultivars. It is a versatile "bridge" variety that brings Old World grace to the modern American brewhouse.
Born in 1976 at the renowned Hop Research Institute in Žatec, Czech Repulic, Zlatan is more than just a Saaz derivative—it is a masterclass in agricultural refinement. While the legendary Saaz hop is prized for its flavor, it is notoriously difficult to grow. Zlatan was developed through rigorous clonal selection to bridge that gap, offering brewers the same sophisticated "Noble" pedigree but with the added benefit of modern crop resilience and improved yields. For the homebrewer, Zlatan is the secret to an authentic Bohemian Pilsner. It carries a refined, "soft" bitterness that never overstays its welcome on the palate. The aromatic profile is pure elegance: expect a fragrant tapestry of herbal tea, delicate spring florals, and that signature spicy-earthy snap that defines the finest European lagers. It is the perfect choice for those who want a traditional Czech character with a cleaner, more reliable finish.