ALL GRAIN BEER

When Pride of Ringwood was released in 1965, it had the distinction of being the hop with the highest alpha acid content in the world, but now, of course, has been far surpassed. At one time it comprised 90% of the hops grown in Australia. Too late harvest for the U.S., it was at one time grown in Kashmir, India. Good storage stability. It is primarily used in Australian lagers, but in the U.S., Buffalo Bill Brewery uses it in its Tasmanian Devil brew. Carlton and United Breweries in Australia bitter all of their beers with PoR. Australia is fairly disease free for hops, but when grown elsewhere, it is susceptible to downy mildew.

If you’ve ever had a Sapporo, then you know what Sorachi Ace can do. It is nicely lemony citrus with an alpha acid count up to 12.9%. It was grown for a very long time by the Sapporo Brewery in Hokkaido, Japan, but then went out of commercial production for a while. It was resurrected in the U.S. in 2006, and is reportedly excellent in several beer styles, particularly those desiring a citrus flavor. It has also been reported as imparting flavors of orange, cilantro, dill, and even oak.

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. It is said to have a heady lemon zest and pine needle essence which makes it a star among its kind, and there is really no substitute that can come close to its characteristics. It has a high alpha acids content (up to 14%), good cohumulone balance of 24% of the alpha acids, and nicely balanced oils. Word has it that Sierra Nevada brewery will debut Southern Hemisphere Harvest fresh hops ale in April of 2014 using Southern Cross, along with Motueka, as its finishing hops.

Developed as an Aroma variety by New Zealand’s HortResearch Hop Breeding Programme. This triploid was bred  from parentage of two-third Hallertau Miitlefrüh open pollinated by one third New Zealand-derived male. As a small plot trial it showed great potential as a dual-purpose variety  and was released commercially from Hort’s Riwaka Research Centre in 1988.

This Hallertau Triploid typically has a very restrained floral character which selectors say is atop an aroma of freshly-zested lime. These excellent brewing qualities carry right through from selection to the finished beer and it is due, in part to this ability that New Zealand Hallertau Aroma is selected by several major brewers internationally.

A multi-skilled hop that consistently delivers across all areas from kettle to consumer. A true dual-purpose variety with an enviable alpha: beta ratio, the New Zealand Hallertau measures up on flavour scores as well as flavour stability trials. Its rounded flavour, moderate cohumulone and outstanding oil profile create a truly rewarding finish.

Green Bullet is a New Zealand hops variety, one of the first generation of new crosses attempted when the Black Root Rot descended on New Zealand hops in 1949. The new hybrids are more resistant. Bred from a Fuggle and some native parentage, it has a special zing that has become New Zealand’s stock in trade. Dual-use hop with alpha acids at 11-15%, yet has a smooth taste and aroma of raisins and fruits, primarily due to its high myrcene content.