Rakau, or AlphAroma as it was previously known, was developed in New Zealand. Languishing in its disease free habitat, Rakau features a high concentration of myrcene is said to pair it beautifully to dry-hopped American Pale Ales.
It was initially bred in the late 1970’s from Smooth Cone through open pollination but it was not released to the market until 1983. It was re-released under the new name in 2007. According to New Zealand Hops Limited, AlphAroma no longer exists as a commercially named variety. Despite that, it is currently being grown and sold under its old name by Dutchess Hops of New York who planted it in the US in 2013.
Want this hop? Browse our recommended stockists below. |
| Also Known As | AlphaAroma, AlphAroma |
| Characteristics | |
| Purpose | Bittering & Aroma |
| Alpha Acid Composition | 5.8%-10.9% |
| Beta Acid Composition | 2.6%-4.8% |
| Co-Humulone Composition | 27% |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Cone Size | |
| Cone Density | |
| Seasonal Maturity | Late to very late |
| Yield Amount | 1230-3810 kg/hectare (1100-3400 lbs/acre) |
| Growth Rate | Very high |
| Resistant to | |
| Susceptible to | |
| Storability | Retains 72% alpha acid after 6 months storage at 20ºC (68ºF) |
| Ease of Harvest | |
| Total Oil Composition | 1.21 mL/100g |
| Myrcene Oil Composition | 44%-65% |
| Humulene Oil Composition | 15% |
| Caryophyllene Oil | 3%-8% |
| Farnesene Oil | 5% |
| Substitutes | |
| Style Guide | Pale Ale, Lager |
Where to Buy Rakau HopsAs a listing requirement, all suppliers below ship nationally to their respective countries. |
Yakima Valley Hops (USA)
Great Fermentations (USA)
Hop Alliance (USA)
Northwest Hop Farms (Canada)
BeerCo (Australia)
Hops Direct (USA)
Amazon (USA)
Humlegårdens Ekolager (Sweden)
Brook House Hops (United Kingdom)
Brewshop.no (Norway)
Kegland (Australia)
Brewshop.co.nz (New Zealand)
Do you sell this hop? Contact Us.
References
http://beerlegends.com/alpharoma-hops
http://nzhl.info-prime.co.nz/variety/rakau
https://ychhops.com/varieties/rakau
http://dutchesshops.com/about/
Comments 2
Ended up on the Rakau page after clicking the link since it was listed as a substitute for Topaz. Was a little surprised to see the characteristics field to be blank. Why is this a good substitute for Topaz if you don’t know the flavor/aroma?
Author
Hi Esse, late reply I know but better late than never! You’re right, I think the characteristics field missing from Topaz was a mistake, this info has been entered in the book. I will update the field soon but to answer your question I’ve seen other brewers talk about Rakau as a possible substitute for Topaz as both hops feature varying degrees of tropical fruit flavor. Topaz is unique though so I doubt it will be exactly the same, still, if you’re looking for a tropical note you could do worse than Rakau as a sub for Topaz.