Nelson Sauvin
A distinctive New Zealand hop with a white-wine and gooseberry character.
About Nelson Sauvin
Nelson Sauvin is a New Zealand hop released in 2000, named for its resemblance to the Sauvignon Blanc grape. Its white-wine and gooseberry character is unlike any other hop.
It is prized in modern IPAs and pale ales for that distinctive vinous fruit, though its intensity means it is easy to overdo.
Aroma and flavour
White wine, gooseberry and tropical fruit, famously reminiscent of Sauvignon Blanc grapes, from which it takes its name.
By the numbers, Nelson Sauvin typically carries 11 to 13% alpha acid, which drives its bitterness, and 1 to 1.25 total oil, which drives its aroma. It is generally treated as a dual-purpose (aroma-leaning) hop. Published figures are typical values; the real alpha and oil of any given lot vary with the harvest, so a hop bill is usually adjusted to the actual numbers on the package.
Using it in the brewery
Nelson Sauvin is used mostly late and in dry hop for its unique white-wine aroma, and can bitter cleanly given its higher alpha. It is often used in restraint or blended so its character does not dominate.
Like all hops, it is best bought as vacuum-packed pellets and kept cold and sealed, since oxygen and warmth degrade the alpha acids and drive off the aroma oils over time. Buy close to when you will brew, and store any opened packets cold and airtight.
Substitutes
If Nelson Sauvin is unavailable, Galaxy makes the closest substitute, sharing a similar aroma family and a comparable alpha and oil profile. A substitute is a close match rather than an identical clone, so expect it to shift the character a little.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Alpha acid | 11 to 13% |
| Beta acid | 6 to 8% |
| Total oil | 1 to 1.25 |
| Typical use | Dual-purpose (aroma-leaning) |
| Origin | New Zealand, released 2000 |
Typical published figures; harvest and batch vary.
Match this hop to a yeast
Open the YeastMatch selectorPair a hop with the right yeast, or find a substitute.Find Nelson Sauvin hops on eBayaffiliateRelated
Sources: BarthHaas hop varieties ยท Hopslist variety data