Germany is known for producing some of the finest and most traditional hops, which are widely used in brewing various styles of beer, especially lagers, pilsners, and bocks. Here is a list of different German hops, along with their key characteristics:
1. Hallertau
- Flavor: Mild, earthy, herbal, with slight spice and floral notes.
- Aroma: Clean, subtle, with floral and herbal characteristics.
- Use: One of the most famous German hops, commonly used in Pilsners, Helles, and other lager styles.
2. Tettnang
- Flavor: Spicy, herbal, and slightly floral with a touch of citrus and earthiness.
- Aroma: Floral, herbal, and slightly peppery.
- Use: Known for its versatility, it is used in Pilsners, Lagers, and Helles beers.
3. Saaz (Czech-German variety)
- Flavor: Mild, earthy, herbal, slightly spicy, and citrusy.
- Aroma: Soft, earthy, herbal, and floral with subtle spiciness.
- Use: Popular in German-style Pilsners and Lagers, known for its refined bitterness and subtle aroma.
4. Spalt
- Flavor: Mild, floral, and earthy with a hint of spice and herbal characteristics.
- Aroma: Herbal, floral, with a mild, spicy aroma.
- Use: Often used in traditional German lagers, especially Pilsners, and wheat beers.
5. Perle
- Flavor: Balanced bitterness with a mild, herbal, floral, and slightly spicy flavor.
- Aroma: Mild, with floral, earthy, and herbal tones.
- Use: Used primarily in lagers, pilsners, and other German styles, especially for bittering purposes.
6. Magnum
- Flavor: Clean, bitter, with subtle earthy and herbal notes.
- Aroma: Mild, with herbal and slightly spicy aromas.
- Use: A high-alpha hop primarily used for bittering in lagers, pilsners, and bocks.
7. Hersbrucker
- Flavor: Mild, spicy, floral, and slightly fruity with earthy notes.
- Aroma: Delicate, floral, with hints of herbal and spicy characteristics.
- Use: Typically used in traditional German-style lagers, wheat beers, and some bocks.
8. Manderina Bavaria
- Flavor: Citrus, orange, and tangerine with some herbal and floral notes.
- Aroma: Strong citrus and orange with some herbal undertones.
- Use: A newer hop that has been used in various German-style beers, particularly in Pale Ales and Lagers for a fruity character.
9. Saphir
- Flavor: Delicate and mild, with herbal, floral, and citrus notes.
- Aroma: Soft, floral, with a slight citrus or lemony aroma.
- Use: Mostly used in German-style Pilsners, Helles, and wheat beers for a refined hop character.
10. Aurora
- Flavor: Balanced bitterness with floral, herbal, and slightly spicy flavors.
- Aroma: Mild herbal, floral, with hints of pine and citrus.
- Use: Commonly used in German-style lagers, including Pilsners and Märzen, for both bitterness and flavor.
11. Halertau Blanc
- Flavor: Tropical fruit, white wine, and grapefruit with a subtle floral and herbal character.
- Aroma: Very fruity with tropical and white wine-like characteristics.
- Use: A newer variety used for flavor and aroma in German-style Lagers, Pilsners, and IPAs.
12. Bavaria Mandarina
- Flavor: Tangerine, orange, and citrus with mild floral and herbal notes.
- Aroma: Citrus-forward with a strong tangerine and orange aroma.
- Use: Primarily used in lighter beers such as Lagers and Pale Ales for a bright, citrus character.
13. Tschammer
- Flavor: Spicy, herbal, and slightly earthy with some citrus hints.
- Aroma: Earthy, herbal, and slightly spicy.
- Use: A traditional hop variety, often used in Märzen and bock styles.
14. Zufriedenheit
- Flavor: Mild, smooth bitterness with earthy and herbal notes.
- Aroma: Subtle, with earthy and herbal characteristics.
- Use: Less common, used in a variety of German beers including lagers.
These German hops are a staple in many classic beer styles, particularly the clean, balanced, and drinkable lagers for which Germany is renowned. They are often prized for their mild bitterness, herbal aromas, and nuanced flavors, making them perfect for traditional brewing techniques and styles like Pilsners, Helles, Dunkels, and Bocks.