Origin and Description
Saaz Hops has changed the world of brewing forever, as it is an esteemed and honored variety that helped to define European Lagers and Bohemian Pilsners. It is a natural variety from Czechoslovakia (Czech Republic) that originated from the area around the town of Saaz which is in Bohemia. This hops is also grown in Belgium and the United States and has several descendants from New Zealand including Motueka (B Saaz), and Riwaka (D Saaz).
Czech Saaz is highly sought after for use in Czech Pilsners, Lagers, and European and Belgian styles of the same. The alpha acid content is very low at 2.0%-6.0% making this variety very much for use as an aromatic agent in the beer. The alpha beta ratio is 1:1.5 which is higher than most varieties and is considered to give beer a more delicate bitterness. The aroma from saaz comes from its balanced oils, including a high level of farnesene and results in a seasoned herbal character. Saaz also comes equipped high a higher content of polyphenols which subsides the oxidation and aging process in beer, giving it a longer shelf life.
Saaz lacks both a strong yield as well as resistance to the crippling mildews. Maturity and Growth Habit are both mixed depending on where it is grown. And it produces small and light cones that can be difficult to harvest. That has not slowed down its demand on the commercial markets, and is a staple to many breweries around the world.
Buy Saaz Hops
Saaz Hops Usage
Saaz hops is commonly used as as aroma agent in beer.
Saaz Hops Characteristics
Below is a list of characteristics for saaz hops that impact farming, chemistry, transport & trade, beer production, as well as the final character of the finished product.
Saaz Hops Acid Composition
| Alpha Acid Composition |
2%-6% |  |
| Beta Acid Composition |
3%-8% |  |
| Co-Humulone Composition |
24%-28% |  |
Saaz Hops Cone Physical Characteristics
| Saaz Lupulin Color | Pale Yellow |  |
| Saaz Cone Size | Small to Medium |  |
| Saaz Cone Density | Loose to Moderate |  |
Saaz Hops Growth, Harvest, and Storage Details
| Maturity | Mid Season |  |
| Yield | Yield for Saaz Hops is Low at 800 - 1350 kg/hectare
|  |
| Growth Rate | Moderate
|  |
| Susceptibility to Disease and Pests | Susceptible To:
Downy Mildew,Powdery Mildew,Wilt;, |  |
| Storability | Saaz Hops maintains 45%-55% alpha acid comtents after 6 months storage at 20 degrees C |  |
| Ease of Harvest | Poor to Good |  |
Saaz Hops Oil Composition
Saaz Hops Substitutes
Common Beer Styles for Saaz Hops
| Beer Style |
|---|
| Pilsner |
| Specialty Ale |
| Brown Ale |
| Belgian-Style Golden Ale |
| Strong Ale |
| Wheat |
| Pale Ale |
| Triple |
| Helles Bock |
| Pilsner |
| Brown Ale |
| Lager |
| Amber Lager |
| India Pale Ale |
| Czech Pilsner |
| Honey Pilsner |
| Blonde Ale |
| Kolsch |
Saaz Hops Use in Commercial Beers
