Has anyone used NZ Saaz hops? I bought a pound a while back and am trying to decide how to use them. They differ from continental saaz in that they are around 8%AA, and I have seen no good descriptions of their flavor characteristics and whether they even resemble Czeck Saaz.
I have not brewed with them but it looks like they are also know as “Motueka”. Here is the link to New Zealand Hops Limited:
http://www.nzhops.co.nz/varieties/motueka.html
A triploid aroma type developed by New Zealand’s HortResearch. This hop was bred by crossing a New Zealand breeding selection (2/3) with Saazer parentage (1/3). First selected by a notable Belgian brewery lead to this variety being called Belgian Saaz and later shortened to “B” Saaz so as not confuse country of origin.
Selection:
First impressions are a very lively and lifted lemon and lime followed by a background of tropical fruit. This variety displays similarities to its Saazer parent through its levels of Farnesene typically around the 12 % mark however the higher alpha also makes this hop more desirable in dual purpose applications. It imparts a balanced bitterness as well as a desirable new world “noble” type aroma.
Brewer’s notes:
An excellent hop in many applications from first kettle additions through to late gift. This hop offers a unique aroma and flavour making it suitable for producing bigger more traditional style Lagers, especially Bohemian Pilsener. Excellent when employed in multiple additions from a single hop bill and sits well on the palate to balance speciality malt sweetness. An excellent variety for Belgian Ales and gives a real edge to Cask Bitter.
Grower comments:
Maturity Early season
Yield Low to Medium
Growth Habit Vigorous, columnar frame
Cone Structure Cylindrical, open, loose cones
Disease Resistance New Zealand is hop disease free
Storage Stability Good
Technical data:
HPLC & Oil Composition (Measured within 6 months of harvest, stored at 0 ºC)
Alpha Acids 6.5 - 7.5 %
Beta Acids 5.0 – 5.5 %
Cohumulone 29.0 % of Alpha Acids
Total Oil 0.8 ml oil per 100 gram cone weight
Concentration 107 uL Oil/gram Alpha
Myrcene 47.7 %
Humulene 3.6 %
Caryophyllene 2.0 %
Farnasene 12.2 %
Citrus-Piney Fraction 18.3 %
Floral Estery Fraction 4.0 % (Linalool 1.6 %)
Xanthohumol 0.4 %
Other 10.4 %
Applications:
Typically employed in traditional Pilsener styles this Saazer cultivar has also found application in many traditional European and English Ales styles as well. The weight of oil to alpha integrates it fully with higher gravity types and will counter both malt sweetness and body.
Cheers!
Ryan
At 8 %, I would think that it would be a bit harsher tasting than the true czech Saaz.
I don’t even think it would be considered Noble.
In the mean time, I have no concrete info at hand to support this theory.
Here is a commercial beer that would allow you to evaluate this hop. I cannot comment I have not tried it…
http://www.sierranevada.com/beers/harvest_southern.html
To clarify, it was 7.5%AA, and I have brewed a classic american Pils og 1.060 about 40 IBUs using these to get a feel for their aroma and flavor. I will try to follow up with the list once I have evaluated the beer.
We were able to evaluated teh NZ hops at Sierra Nevada Beer camp. Wow.
Motueka, Pacific Hallertau, and Southern Cross were all very fragrant, great aromas.
The CAP made with all NZ Saaz turned out great. I brewed it a little big for the style, but was happy enough with the flavor that I used the same hop (much lower IBUs) for my maibock. It has a nice noble character, very clean, solid bittering.