Freshop Varieties
| There are
basically two types of hops. The aroma hops have lower alpha acids and an oil profile associated with good aroma. These hops are generally used as a finishing or conditioning hop. Bitter hops have a higher alpha acid percentage. These hops are generally used in the boiling process to extract bitterness. There are some varieties considered dual-purpose such as Northern Brewer |
UNITED STATES HOP VARIETIES
| CASCADE | Released in 1972 from OSU ( Corvallis, OR.) breeding program as a new variety. Characterized by a medium strength aroma, with a low bittering value, alpha 4-7% |
| CENTENNIAL | A relatively new hop variety on the market. Can be used for aroma, with a strong Cascade-like aroma, as well as for bittering, medium to high bittering, alpha 8-11%. |
| CHINOOK | Released by the US (OSU Corvallis, OR.) High Alpha Breeding Program in 1985. Has a good quality earthy aroma, alpha 11-13%. |
| COLUMBUS | high yield and high alpha
acids potential, high oil content; brewing Characteristics similar to Centennial Great for dry hopping. alpha 14 – 17% |
| CRYSTAL | Similar oil profile as
Hallertauer pleasant continental-type aroma; suitable for flavoring beers and ales when Hallertauer-type aroma is desired. alpha 3-5%. |
| FUGGLE | Originally developed in the UK in both Kent and Sussex counties. Traditional aroma hop, mild and spicy aroma, alpha 4.0-5.5%. |
| KENT GOLDING | Originally developed in the UK in the county of Kent, its flowery aroma has characterized some of the best English bitters, alpha acid 5-6% |
| HALLERTAUER | This variety is a traditionally popular German hop from Hallertau region, good aroma type, low bittering qualities alpha 3-5%. |
| MT. HOOD | Hallertauer hybrid released in 1989 as a disease resistant variety, Aroma is mild and clean, with an alpha an 4-5%. |
| NORTHERN BREWER | This is an English bred variety with some aroma but a high bittering quality, alpha 7-9%. It is difficult to grow. |
| NUGGET | This is also a product of the US High Alpha Breeding Program developed at OSU Corvallis, OR. and was released in 1983. It is popular among growers because of its high yields, vigorous growth, and disease resistance. High alpha variety, alpha 11-16%. |
| PERLE | This is also a German variety developed and grown in the US succesfully. Has a clean pleasant aroma and a medium bittering quality alpha 7-8%. |
| SAAZ | The original Bohemian pilsner hop, is a pleasant and mild aroma type, alpha 3-5%. It is difficult to grow. |
| STERLING | Saaz Hybrid, suitable for replacing Saaz hops in brewery blends. Much higher yield potential than Saaz hops. aroma and oil composition very similar to Saaz. Alpha Acid 6-9% . Very good yield |
| WILLAMETTE | Released by the USDA in 1976 as a new aroma variety. A triploid hybrid of English Fuggle. characterized by low bittering values alpha 4-6%, a mild aroma. Medium yields. |
NEW ZEALAND ORGANIC VARIETIES
| PACIFIC GEM | A high alpha hop with a pleasant aroma and a useful bitterness, alpha 11-12%. |
| NEW ZEALAND HALLERTAUER | A fine clean triploid Hallertau bred from the German Hallertau Mittlefruh. A Hallertau aroma with an ability to retain its clean taste even in older beers. alpha 8-9% |
AN INTRODUCTION TO NEW ZEALAND HOPS
New Zealand has been selling hops in the international marketplace for the many years and currently sells hops to clients in Germany, UK, USA, Ireland, Japan, Norway/Sweden, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India and Australia.
Virtually all of the sprays used in New Zealand are used for weed control as they do not have any of the diseases and pests such as aphid, downy or powdery mildew, or verticillium wilt in New Zealand. This spray free factor has become of significant interest internationally in New Zealand hops.
Similarly virtually all of the hop gardens in New Zealand are irrigated with permanent overhead irrigation, which gives consistent and reliable production.
Another factor that has become significant in the "clean green" image of New Zealand hops is that virtually all of the New Zealand crop is kiln dried using indirect hot water radiators, so that no oil or gas burnt fumes come into contact with the hops. Concerns of carcinogenic substances and the presence of nitrosamines, therefore, do not exist in New Zealand,
Tests have shown that New Zealand hops have a low content of nitrate, which is becoming increasingly important to the brewing industry.
We wish to point out to you that New Zealand hops are now recognized as having an excellent dual purpose role in brewing, having good and stable alpha acid and also good aroma. Lagers and ales using 100% New Zealand hops have won many international awards giving our hops the reputation of not having the harsh bitterness of most high alpha type hops. New Zealand hops have been used exclusively in beers that have twice won the "Brewex" competition in England. Similarly Lagers using 100% New Zealand hops have won Gold and Silver medals at "Le Monde Selection" in Belgium.