If you’re really looking to brew fearless, consider adding South African hops to your go-to collection. Because they are bred specifically for South Africa’s growing conditions, these hop cultivars offer unique flavor and aroma characteristics not available in hops from other regions. The results? Your favorite beer recipes get a whole new twist.
Hops from South Africa are relatively rare. To compare, in 2021 the US (which is the world’s leading hop grower) produced 113 million pounds of hops. South Africa, on the other hand, produced just 1.6 million pounds.
John Fearless, through our relationship with local farmers, happens to be one of the few hops distributors or brewery suppliers available to help you buy South African hops.
Hops have been bred and grown in South Africa since the 1920s and commercially since the 1970s. Following World War I, there was a worldwide hops shortage. Since South African brewers had a difficult time getting hops, they began to grow their own.
The most ideal location to grow hops in South Africa was found to be in the George region in the southern part of the Western Cape where the Indian Ocean meets the Atlantic Ocean – part of the famed Garden Route of South Africa. The Mediterranean-like climate in this area provided the temperatures and rain the hops needed to make them happy.
However, sunlight was a challenge. South Africa receives about three fewer hours of sunlight each day than the hops being grown by farmers at the time preferred. These were noble varieties imported from Europe.
The answer for growers initially was to supplement the sunlight with electric growing lights. But that took a lot of light bulbs, especially for growing hops commercially. With painstaking breeding, growers have been able to develop cultivars better suited to the conditions in South Africa that thrive without the need for extra lighting.
Historically, South African hops were bred for bittering. But within the last several years, growers have been developing more and more aroma varieties in response to the current demand by much of the brewing community around the world.
Today’s South African hops offer high alpha acids for the bittering varieties, a good alpha/beta ratio, low COH, low myrcene, low caryophyllene, and high humulene. Interested in trying them? Ask for a sample!
High in alpha acids yet big in flavor, Southern Star works well as a bittering hop but also delivers bright, fruity aromas when used in late additions.
One of the first developed in South Africa that didn’t require artificial light. It’s used for both bittering and aroma, with a woody, earthy fragrance.
This bittering hop is ideal for use in hop-forward beers with a desired tropical fruitiness that includes sweet hints of melon, pineapple and guava.
This well-rounded hop has some resinous pine along with bright and sweet fruit flavors of papaya, gooseberries, and melon. It’s ideal for hop-forward beers.
Juicy peach and stone fruit aromas and flavors really pop, especially in hazies, but hints of passion fruit and citrus also come through.
This exciting, dual-purpose hop balances between fruity and traditional bitterness, strong citrus notes, ideal for use in bold, full-bodied beers.
| Varietal | Alpha Acids (Range %) | Beta Acid (Range %) | COH (Range %) | % Total Oils (ml/100g) | Alpha/Beta Ratio | Usage | Aroma/Flavor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| African Queen T-90 Hop Pellets | 12.5 - 14.5 | 3.9 - 5.6 | 28 - 32 | 1.30 | 3.2 | Dual | Gooseberry, chili, sweet fruits, cassis, iced tea, clove, lemongrass |
| Aroma / Sublime Blend T-90 Hop Pellets | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Southern Aroma T-90 Hop Pellets | 4.5 - 6 | 4.5 - 6 | 21 - 24 | 0.6 - 0.8 | .9 | Aroma | Fields of flowers, dried herbs, parsley, grain, straw, sunny hayfield, green, woody |
| Southern Dawn T-90 Hop Pellets | 11.5 - 14 | 4.3 - 5.9 | 31.6 - 32.3 | 0.60 | 2 | Dual | Lemongrass, ginger, red berries, chamomile, herbal, vegetable |
| Southern Passion T-90 Hop Pellets | 9.5 - 12.5 | 7 - 8 | 16.6 - 20.2 | 0.8 - 1 | .9 | Aroma | Red berries, passionfruit, calendula, sweet fruits, grapefruit |
| Southern Promise T-90 Hop Pellets | 11.5 - 12.5 | 3.6 - 5.4 | 20 - 22 | 0.70 | 2.6 | Dual | Vegetable, red berries, spicy, floral, woody |
| Southern Star T-90 Hop Pellets | 15 - 17.5 | 6 - 7.5 | 26 - 29 | 1.60 | 2.6 | Bittering | Red berries, sweet fruits, floral, crème caramel, citrus, spicy |
| Southern Sublime T-90 Hop Pellets | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Southern Tropic T-90 Hop Pellets | 17 - 18 | 6.4 - 6.6 | 26 - 28 | 1.30 | .35 | Bittering | Resinous, woody, spicy, cloves, herbaceous, aloe, melon |
| XJA2/436 T-90 Hop Pellets | 13 - 16.5 | 7.8 - 8.4 | 27 - 29 | 1.06 | 2 | Bittering | Resinous, red berries, leafy |
| Aroma/Flavor | Aroma/Flavor |
|---|
Have questions about adding hops from South Africa to your favorite beer recipes? Contact us and we’d be happy to help.
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