Perle vs Saaz hops compared on alpha acid, oil, myrcene and aroma, with the published numbers and when each wins.
Updated 12 September 2026.
Perle vs Saaz: which hop to use
Data sheetThe two hops side by side on the numbers and aroma that decide it, and which to reach for.
Published hop data side by side
| Origin | Perle: Germany · Saaz (Saazer): Czech Republic |
|---|---|
| Perle alpha acid | 3 to 11 % |
| Saaz (Saazer) alpha acid | 1.4 to 7.5 % |
| Perle total oil | 0.7 to 2 mL/100 g |
| Saaz (Saazer) total oil | 0.2 to 1 mL/100 g |
| Perle myrcene | up to 33.2 % |
| Saaz (Saazer) myrcene | up to 33.7 % |
| Perle aroma | Lemon, marjoram and pepper with dried fruit and pear, and woody barrique and honey notes |
| Saaz (Saazer) aroma | Spicy and woody, with tarragon, lavender and cedar, plus floral elderberry, rose and camomile and a honeyed sweetness |
Notes
Perle is a versatile German dual-purpose hop that can both bitter and flavour, while Saaz is a delicate low-alpha noble hop used only for aroma.
Choose Perle when you want one German hop to carry both a clean bitterness and a lemony spicy aroma in a lager or altbier.
Choose Saaz when you want a pure, traditional noble aroma and a separate hop for bittering.