Notes on New Zealand hop strains and New Zealand-made beer representing each.
Nelson Sauvin12-13% AA, 6-8% beta
High acid strain. The big one you’re heard of. Volatile thiol compounds are thought to be responsible for the distinct grape / gooseberry note. Described as similar in character to Sauvignon Blanc wine. Juicy and oily in the mouth when used late in the boil. Can be garlic-y and pungent if old. Restrained use as bittering and more often as late addition / flameout and the experience is “juicier”.
#nelson-sauvin tagged beers on Ratebeer
Motueka6-8% AA, 5-6% beta
Medium acid strain derived from Saaz and shows similar lemon character, but more “tropical”. Formerly called Belgian Saaz. Shows a foul diesel fume and onion / garlic odor at times, but can also be cleaner, brighter, fruitier, depending on freshness and preservation.
#motueka tagged beers on Ratebeer
Riwaka4-7% AA, 4-5% beta
Another Saaz-derived strain. Lemon-herb-pepper impression. Relatively low acid. Formerly called by the un-sexy, un-Aotearoa name D Saaz.
#riwaka tagged beers on Ratebeer
Pacifica aka. Pacific Hallertau 5-6% AA, 5-6% beta
Medium acid strain derived from German Hallertauer Mittlefrüh and shows the lemon and peppery and “cheese rind” quality that you find in German noble hops like Hallertau and Tettnanger. For me it lacks the apricot fruitiness of German Hallertau and seems more lemon-y like German Spalter.
#pacfica tagged beers on Ratebeer
Pacific Gem13-16% AA, 7-9% beta
High acid strain derived from Fuggles, showing woody-nutty-oily-berry character. Best when used judiciously, and not overused, as a bittering hop.
#pacific-gem tagged beers on Ratebeer
Pacific Jade12-14% AA, 7-8% beta
High acid strain derived from Saaz – citric, “spicy”, herbal, a little goes a long way for bitterness.
#pacific-jade tagged beers on Ratebeer
NZ Cascade6-8% AA, 5-6% beta
An aromatic medium acid NZ derivative of Cascade. Lineage goes back to English Fuggles. Intoxicating floral orange marmalade and rich apricot aroma, juicy and oily with measured acidity. Mouth-watering when done right.
#nz-cascade tagged beers on Ratebeer
Southern Cross11-14% AA, 5-6% beta
Another high acid English Fuggle derivative. For me the impression is floral / lavender, peppercorn, wood, mint, etc. One of the more “English Noble” in character of all the NZ hops.
#southern-cross tagged beers on Ratebeer
Wakatu (formerly Hallertau Aroma)6-9% AA, 8-9% beta
Medium acid 2/3 Hallertau Miitlefrüh strain. Lemon-line-floral-spicy-herbal impression.
#wakatu tagged beers on Ratebeer
Rakau10-11% AA, 4-5% beta
Medium-high acid fruity-tropical strain similar in aroma to Nelson Sauvin.
#rakau tagged beers on Ratebeer
Green Bullet11-14% AA, 6-7% beta
High acid open pollinated New Zealand “Smoothecone” strain. Oily, juicy, floral, fruity, wine-like.
#green-bullet tagged beers on Ratebeer
Wai-iti 3-4% AA, 5% beta
A unique low acid orange-citrus-fruity strain, similar in character to Riwaka and shares large percentages of oils with Saaz.
#wai-iti tagged beers on Ratebeer
Kohatu6-7% AA, 5-6% beta
Medium acid strain bred from aroma Hallertauer Mittelfrüeh. Spice-pine-tropical.
#kohatu tagged beers on Ratebeer
Dr Rudi / Super Alpha 10-12% AA, 7-9% beta
Another high acid open pollinated cross variety “Smoothcone” strain. Grass, pine, citrus.
#dr-rudi tagged beers on Ratebeer
Waimea 16-19% AA, 7-9% beta
Super alpha acid strain that is described as less bitter than it expected, with an aroma of tangelo and pine needle. Derived from Pacific Jade (which is derived from Saaz).