Smooth Cone is a New Zealand hop variety. It is no longer grown commercially but can still be found. Developed in the 1960’s, the variety was introduced alongside two other Black Root Rot resistant varieties, First Choice and Calicross after the disease savaged New Zealand’s hops industry during the mid 20th century. It is the offspring of an open pollination …
Sorachi Ace
If you’ve ever enjoyed Sapporo, then you know what Sorachi Ace can do. Originally produced by the Sapporo Brewery in Hokkaido, Japan in the mid-1980s, it was resurrected in the US in 2006. It is a cross between Saaz, Brewer’s Gold and BeiKei No. 2. Sorachi Ace is considered excellent in several beer styles, particularly those desiring a distinct lemon …
Southern Brewer
Parent of Southern Promise, Southern Brewer was developed in the early 1970’s after the primary South African hops variety at the time, Golden Cluster, was devastated by black root rot. It is the result of an open pollinated cross of Fuggle. Southern Brewer is used primarily for bittering and is not considered to be particularly distinguished in either aroma or …
Southern Cross
Southern Cross was created by New Zealand’s HortResearch breeding program as a cross between Smooth Cone and the result of a Californian and English Fuggle. It was released in 1994. In brewing, citrus and Spice and everything nice is how one might describe New Zealand’s Southern Cross variety. A soft bitterness makes it a good early addition to the boil. …
Southern Promise
Southern Promise was bred specifically for the South African region. Created from Southern Brewer and a wild Slovenian male, it was developed in an effort to produce a variety that would grow well in areas with limited sunlight. It has fairly high alpha acids and low cohumulone giving it bright and smooth bittering qualities. It is largely considered a nice …
Southern Star
Released in 2001, Southern Star was developed in South Africa around 10 years after Outeniqua and Southern Promise. Like it’s two predecessors it is also considered a day neutral variety, meaning it can be grown in locations with reduced daylight. It is used primarily for bittering but also features a spicy, tangy flavor and some aroma. Want this hop? Browse …
Sovereign
The granddaughter of Pioneer, Sovereign is an English variety bred at Wye College in the mid-1990s. Released in 2006, Sovereign is gaining respect for its complex and delicate aroma profile. Floral, grassy and minty on the nose, its bittering qualities are classic and well rounded. It has also been reported to impart subtle green tea and vanilla aspects to a …
Spalt
Surely one of the world oldest hop varieties, Splat hops date back as far as the 8th century and in the 16th century they were the first variety to be granted the German hop seal – a historically significant certification system predating the current, German Hop Provenance Law. Grown primarily in the Spalt region of Germany, it is one of …
Spalter Select
Released in 1993, Spalter Select was bred in Hüll, Germany in an effort to increase yield potential and disease resistant and serve as a commercial replacement for Spalt. These efforts were quite successful. The result of a cross of Spalt and Hallertau Mittelfrüher, Spalter Select retains some of the finer characteristics of both these varieties and is considered a slightly …
Star
Not to be confused with Southern Star, Star is an old Belgian land race variety, which is no longer grown commercially. It was largely discontinued due to poor vigor and yield but It is however still obtainable in small quantities for home brewing. It exhibits excellent storage stability and sports a lovely continental-type aroma. Want this hop? Browse our recommended …