Saaz hops

Advertisement for Saaz hops

Saaz is a "noble" variety of hops. It was named after the Czech town of Žatec (German: Saaz). This hop is used extensively in Bohemia to flavor beer as the Czech pilsner.

Saaz hops accounted for more than +2⁄3 of total 2009 hop production in the Czech Republic.^[1] It is the main hop variety used in the production of global beer Stella Artois, a Belgian pilsner.

Characteristics

Saaz has a distinctive flavour. When used in beer, the resultant aroma is very mild, earthy, herbal and spicy. Despite its popularity and noble pedigree, Saaz generally has a very low Alpha acid level and is not very effective as a bittering hop. This hop is generally used for Bohemian style lagers and pilseners.^[2]

Another variety of Saaz hops has been propagated in the United States of America. The US variety has a higher Alpha acid content than the original Czech variety.^[3]

Acid and oil breakdown

Property	Czech variety[3]	US variety[4]
Yield (kg/ha)	800–1,200	N/A
Alpha acids (%)	2.5–4.0	6.3–7.0[5]
Beta acids (%)	4.6–6.0	N/A
Alpha/beta ratio	0.6–0.9	N/A
Cohumulone (% of alpha acids):	23–26	N/A
Colupulone (% of alpha acids):	39–43	N/A
Total oils (mls. per 100 grams dried hops)	0.4–1.0	0.6
Myrcene (as % of total oils)	25–40	37
Linalool (as % of total oils)	0.4–0.8	N/A
Caryophyllene (as % of total oils)	6–9	7
Humulene (as % of total oils)	15–25	23
Farnesene (as % of total oils)	14–20	N/A
Selinenes (as % of total oils)	0.5–1.5	N/A
Possible substitutions	Centennial, Amarillo, Motueka, Stirling, Summer

References

1. "Hop Statistics - Hops Growers Union of the Czech Republic". www.czhops.cz. Retrieved 2010-01-23.
2. Palmer, John (2006). How to Brew. Boulder, CO: Brewers Publications. pp. Chapter 5 part 3. ISBN 0-937381-88-8.
3. "Saaz (US)". Hopslist. 2014-03-08. Retrieved 2019-11-19.
4. Daniels, Ray (2000). Designing Great Beers. Boulder, CO: Brewers Publications. pp. 72–106. ISBN 0-937381-50-0.
5. "Hops Direct - US Saaz growers". www.hopsdirect.com. Retrieved 2010-01-23.