Despite exhibiting a low yield, Saaz (US) is a popular commercial aroma variety and is used in many US beers today. Bred from the original centuries-old Czech Saaz variety, it carries the same noble qualities but with some subtle differences. Its flavor and aroma profile is mild, earthen and spicy and its alpha is slightly higher than its Czech twin. …
Santiam
Developed at the Agriculture Research Service in Corvallis, Oregon, Santiam hails from parent varietals Swiss Tettnanger, German Hallertauer Mittelfrüher and a slightly more distant Cascade (US)-derived cultivar. It was released to the brewing public in 1997 and features a well-balanced oil profile. The resultant tasting notes are a pleasantly soft, herbal essence alongside floral and fruity aromas with hints of …
Saphir
Released in 2002, Saphir features elements of spice and fruit amid refined citrus notes of tangerine. It is considered well suited to Belgian Whites as well as Pilsners and German Lagers. Bred at the Hop Research Center in Hüll, the initial goal of its creators was to produce a more commercially viable alternative to Hallertau Mittelfrüh through increased disease resistance …
Kirin II
Kirin II is one of a few Japanese hops to spring up since the Japanese governments decision to reduce the importation of beer hops. The variety is grown domestically and solely under government contract. The variety was developed by Kirin Brewery Co. as a clonal selection from Shinshuwase and as such is directly descended from Saaz and open pollinated White …
Kitamidori
Developed by the Kirin Brewery Company in Tokyo, Japan, Kitamidori is no longer grown commercially there or anywhere else. It was bred alongside Toyomidori and Eastern Gold as a potential super alpha replacement for Kirin II, which was itself a replacement for Shinshuwase hops. It sports an oil composition with remarkable similarities to Saaz. Want this hop? Browse our recommended …
Landhopfen
A low growth rate and yield in addition to a susceptibility to viruses are all reasons why the old German Landhopfen variety is no longer grown commercially. While it’s exact date of creation remains illusive, it has been documented as a variety as far back as 1851. It is said to have good European aroma characteristics and is thought to …
Legacy®
Legacy® has been grown in Washington State for over 50 years. Despite this, Hops Direct, LLC registered the variety in 2013 and named it Legacy. The variety displays some lovely wild notes such as blackberry, black currant, orange and grapefruit as well as floral and spicy notes. Legacy is about as far from a noble-style hop aroma as you can …
Lubelska-Pulawy
First entering commercial production in 1964, Lubelska-Pulawy is a Polish-grown variety descended from the original Czech hop Lubelska, or Lublin as it is sometimes known. It was grown by the Hop Institute in Pulawy, Poland in an effort to better mold the variety to local conditions and increase alpha potential. It is said to have pleasant European characteristics, unsurprising given …
Lubelska
Often thought to be a Polish hop, Lubelska actually originates in Zatec, Czechia. Sometimes marketed as Lublin or Lubelski, Lubelska’s high humulene content is trumped only by its rare, high levels of farnesene. This oil profile results in interesting aromas of magnolia and lavender. It is considered to very noble-like in character. Thought to be a landrace cultivar of Saaz, …
Liberty
Born in 1983, Liberty is half-sister to Crystal, Ultra and Mt. Hood. It originates from Hallertau Mittelfrüher and a disease resistant German aroma male. Liberty’s yield is low but it still enjoys popularity, especially in the US. It is a genetically sterile variety and not suitable for breeding. Harvest Moon Brewery uses Liberty liberally in their Full Moon Pale Ale …