Nelson Sauvin Hops are an aromatic, wine-y type of hop that is a popular choice among brewers. They are often used in IPAs, aroma-driven lagers and American Pale Ales.
Named after the Sauvignon Blanc grape that is used to make white wine, this unique hop variety was released in 2000 by New Zealand’s Plant and Food Research. It’s a triploid variety that is resistant to Phytophthora.
Origin and History
Nelson Sauvin Hops originate in the Motueka Valley in the Nelson region of New Zealand. The region was originally settled by English immigrants and quickly became a major hop-growing area.
The area was also a popular destination for beer brewers and hop growers because the climate was perfect for growing hops. As a result, a number of different hops were developed in this area for brewing purposes.
During the 1950s, the plant and food research institute in New Zealand began an intensive program to develop a disease-resistant hop variety. They paired the Phytophthora-resistant Smoothcone female hop with a male NZ Hop of unknown origin.
Characteristics and Flavor Profile
Nelson Sauvin Hops are a unique variety of hop that have an extremely fruity and citrusy flavor. These hops are a favorite of many craft brewers and can be used to create many different types of beer styles.
These hops were developed and bred in New Zealand and have a strong fruity flavor that resembles white wine. This flavor is attributed to new volatile thiols that are found in this variety of hop oil.
This is a hop that is not for everyone, but for those that love this type of flavor and are willing to take the risks, this hop can be a huge success. They can be used to make IPAs and other types of beer styles that have a distinct flavor.
Brewing Uses
Nelson Sauvin Hops are a wild, extreme-flavored hop that has changed the way brewers look at and use hops. It was first introduced to the public in 2000 and has become one of the most sought after hop varieties for its bittering, aromatic, and flavoring qualities.
Nelson Sauvin is a triploid dual-purpose variety that was bred at New Zealand’s Plant and Food Research Institute from a Smoothcone variety and a selected New Zealand male. It was released in 2000 and has a distinctive white wine “fruitiness” character that selectors describe as breathtaking.
Nelson Sauvin imparts a very cool climate white wine grape aroma and taste, which is often described as extreme fruitiness and passionfruit. It is a popular choice for new world style pale ales and IPAs.
Pairing of $ prompt with different beer styles
One of the Nelson Sauvin hop’s most unique qualities is its ability to impart white wine grape flavor and aroma into beer. Brewers often use this hop to create bold and memorable ales and lagers.
The hop’s extreme flavor profile can be paired with other more moderately sized hops and other brewing ingredients to create a plethora of interesting beer styles. The most successful brewing results come from pairing this hop with carefully chosen ingredients that complement each other while also adding their own unique touch.
To find the best combinations, a good place to start is your kitchen. The most likely food items to pair with a high-quality Nelson Sauvin hop are root vegetables and strong flavors from roasts. It’s also a good idea to experiment with blending a roasted hop with a malty base beer to see how well the two blend.
Availability and Cultivation
Nelson Sauvin Hops are available in some breweries, but aren’t always easy to find. They’re a dual-purpose variety that can be used for both bittering and aromatic purposes.
The unique flavor of this hop comes from volatile thiols, which aren’t typical components found in most hop oils. These thiols impart grape-like flavors and aromas, which are said to be similar to the Sauvignon Blanc grape.
The Nelson Sauvin variety was first released in 2000 after a lengthy breeding and sensory evaluation program conducted by New Zealand’s Horticulture and Food Research Institute. This cultivar was developed from a Smoothcone and NZ male cross that exhibited disease resistance and fruity floral aromas.