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ZA Hops is the premier supplier of South African and Slovenian hops for Craft Brewers. South African and Slovenian hops offer craft brewers the ability to add diversity, market differentiation, and new possibilities to their beer portfolios through their distinct and unique aromatic and flavor characteristics.

ZA Hops is the original supplier of South African hops to craft brewers in North America. Our premium craft beer hops from South Africa include African Queen, Southern Aroma, Southern Passion, Southern Star, Southern Sublime (N1/69), Southern Tropic (U1/108), and XJA2/436. Our Slovenian hops include new aroma varieties like Styrian Cardinal, Styrian Dragon, Styrian Kolibri, and Styrian Wolf, as well as traditional varieties like Styrian Aurora and Styrian Celeia.

Join us in opening the door to new brewing adventures.


Our Farmers

SAB Hop Farms

SAB Hop Farms was started in 1935 by South African Breweries and Ohlsson’s Breweries. Their hop breeding program was started the following year in order to develop hops suited for their unique growing conditions. Today, SAB Hop Farms comprises seven independent, private farmers as well as three of their own farms for production and breeding. The largest farm is the Heidekruin Farm located on the north side of Outeniqua pass in Waboomskraal. There are currently 424 hectares under crop with plans to increase to 500 hectares, and current annual production is between 710 – 925 tons depending on growing conditions. The hop industry employs about 1000 people seasonally and brings about R90 million into the local economy.

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Hoppris and Ribič Hops farms

Our Slovenian craft beer hops are grown in the Savinja Valley, part of the Styrian Region, near the town of Žalec – home of The Slovenian Institute of Hop Research and Brewing and the now famous “Green Gold” Beer Fountain. We work directly with the families at Hoppris and Ribič Hops farms to bring you some of the highest quality Slovenian hops for craft beer and brewing. Hoppris, which is run by Sebastjan Prinslan and his family, was established in 1999 as a family-owned business, but his family has continuously farmed hops since 1890. Ribič Hops is a fifth-generation farm ran by Jože Ribič and his son Jernej Ribič. The Ribič family has been continuously farming hops since 1880. These farmers are focused on using best practices for growing, harvesting, processing, and handling to provide the highest quality hops in Slovenia. We also proudly partner with state-of-the-art facilities in Germany to produce our T90 pellets as of 2019.

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Contact Us

ZA Hops is proud to partner with the best traditional and specialty hop farms throughout Europe and South Africa. We strive to offer personal customer service to craft breweries big and small.  For additional information on our traditional and new hop varieties, sales inquiries, or technical brewing questions, please contact us and we’ll be happy to help.

ZA Hops, LLC
Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
Tel.: +1.970.510.7311
info@zahops.com


    Profiles of the South African hop varieties we carry.

    AFRICAN QUEEN

    • Alpha Acids: 10 – 17%
    • Beta Acids: 4 – 6%
    • Cohumulone: 22 – 27%
    • Total Oil (ml/100g): 0.7 – 2.0%
    • Humulene: 21 – 30%
    • Caryophyllene: 6 – 13%
    • Farnesene: 5 – 7%
    • Linalool: 0.5 – 0.7%
    • Geraniol: 0.3 – 0.5%
    • Myrcene: 17 – 44%

    African Queen is a South African bred high alpha, daylight neutral hop whose pedigree is a diploid seedling selected from a cross between 91J7/25 and an SA male 94US2/118. The aroma profile includes blueberries, stone fruit, black currant, gooseberries, bubble gum, lemongrass, watermelon, chilies, and resin. Works well with Pilsners and all hop-forward beers of American and Belgian origins such as pale ales, IPAs and saisons.

    Possible similar hops: Mosaic, Simcoe, Citra.

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    SOUTHERN PASSION

    • Alpha Acids: 5 – 12%
    • Beta Acids: 4 – 6%
    • Cohumulone: 16 – 27%
    • Total Oil (ml/100g): 0.6 – 1.3%
    • Humulene: 17 – 39%
    • Caryophyllene: 7 – 14%
    • Farnesene: 1 – 3%
    • Linalool: 0.5 – 0.7%
    • Geraniol: 0.4 – 0.5%
    • Myrcene: 12 – 35%

    Southern Passion is a South African bred aroma daylight neutral hop whose pedigree is a diploid seedling originating from Saaz and Hallertauer crossing. The aroma profile includes passion fruit, guava, red berries, melon, black currant, coconut, tangerine, grapefruit, calendula, and woody – unique. Works well with a variety of beer styles including lightly hopped session beers, and all hop-forward beers of American and Belgian origins such as pale ales, IPAs and saisons.

    Possible similar hops: none.

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    SOUTHERN STAR

    • Alpha Acids: 12 – 18%
    • Beta Acids: 4 – 6%
    • Cohumulone: 25 – 30%
    • Total Oil (ml/100g): 1.4 – 2.0%
    • Humulene: 22 – 33%
    • Caryophyllene: 11 – 15%
    • Farnesene: 4 – 12%
    • Linalool: <1%
    • Myrcene: 27 – 39%

    Southern Star is a South African bred high alpha, daylight neutral hop whose pedigree is a diploid seedling selected from Outeniqua and an SA male OF2/93. The aroma profile includes tangerine, blueberries, pine, tropical fruit, pineapple, watermelon, pungent, woody, and spicy. Works well with all hop-forward beers, especially modern pale ales and IPAs, and as a bittering hop for clean bitterness.

    Possible similar hops are Mosaic, Ekuanot, El Dorado, Mandarina Bavaria, Southern Cross, and Warrior.

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    Southern Sublime (N1/69)

    • Alpha Acids: 10 – 13%
    • Beta Acids: 4 – 5%
    • Cohumulone: 22 – 23%
    • Total Oil (ml/100g): 0.8 – 1.6%
    • Humulene: 28 – 38%
    • Caryophyllene: 10 – 16%
    • Farnesene: 8 – 10%
    • Linalool: 0.3 – 0.4%
    • Geraniol: 0.3 – 0.4%
    • Myrcene: 6 – 19%

    Southern Sublime is a South African bred high alpha, daylight neutral hop whose pedigree is a diploid seedling selected from a cross between Nugget and 89J1/101.  The aroma profile of Southern Sublime includes pungent, Kool-Aid, Juicy Fruit, pineapple, citrus, mango, red plums, grassy, spicy, woody, and resin.  Works well with intensely hop-forward beers like West Coast-style IPAs.

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    Southern Tropic (U1/108)

    • Alpha Acids: 12 – 18%
    • Beta Acids: 5 – 6%
    • Cohumulone: 26 – 28%
    • Total Oil (ml/100g): 1.1 – 1.6%
    • Humulene: 32 – 40%
    • Caryophyllene: 10 – 14%
    • Farnesene: 8 – 10%
    • Linalool: <1%
    • Geraniol: 0.2 – 0.3%
    • Myrcene: 5 – 23%

    Southern Tropic is a South African bred high alpha, daylight neutral hop whose pedigree is a diploid seedling selected from a cross between USDA 65009 and XJA2/574.  The aroma profile of Southern Tropic includes mango, litchi, passion fruit, melon, pineapple, bubblegum, citrus, lemongrass, stone fruit, coconut, woody, herbal, resin, and pungent.  Works well with all hop-forward beers especially pales ales and IPAs.

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    XJA2/436

    • Alpha Acids: 11 – 15%
    • Beta Acids: 5 – 6%
    • Cohumulone: 26 – 28%
    • Total Oil (ml/100g): 1.1 – 1.7%
    • Humulene: 21 – 35%
    • Caryophyllene: 11 – 13%
    • Farnesene: 8 – 18%
    • Linalool: 0.8 – 0.9%
    • Geraniol: <1%
    • Myrcene: 19 – 30%

    XJA2/436 is a South African bred high alpha, daylight neutral hop whose pedigree is a diploid seedling selected from a cross between Outeniqua and OF2/93.  The aroma profile of XJA2/436 includes bergamot citrus, dried lemon zest, candied papaya, ripe cantaloupe, gooseberries, Thai lemon basil, and resin.  Works well with all hop-forward beers including American and Belgian styles like IPAs and saisons.

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    Profiles of the Slovenian hop varieties we carry.

    Styrian Aurora

    • Alpha Acids: 7.2 – 12.6%
    • Beta Acids: 2.7 – 4.4%
    • Cohumulone: 22 – 26%
    • Total Oil (ml/100g): 0.9 – 1.6%
    • Humulene: 20 – 27%
    • Caryophyllene: 4 – 8%
    • Farnesene: 6 – 9%
    • Linalool: 0.6 – 1%
    • Myrcene: 35 – 53%

    Aurora is an aroma variety bred at the Slovenian Institute of Hop Research and Brewing in Žalec from the English variety Northern Brewer and Slovenian genetic hop germplasm. This variety is recognized for its excellent agronomic traits in hop production and processing. Aurora is known for its pleasant hop aroma and bitterness and is most common in character to German Perle. Profile descriptions include mellow tropical fruit, lime, floral, pine, bergamot, lemongrass, and aniseed. Works well with classic European and British styles where noble characteristics are desired. This is an important hop for lager production globally.

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    Styrian Cardinal

    • Alpha Acids: 10 – 15%
    • Beta Acids: 3.2 – 4.6%
    • Cohumulone: 31 – 37%
    • Total Oil (ml/100g): 3 – 4%
    • Humulene: 15 – 22%
    • Caryophyllene: 8 – 11%
    • Farnesene: 5 – 7%
    • Linalool: 0.6 – 1%
    • Myrcene: 40 – 50%

    Styrian Cardinal was bred at the Slovenian Institute of Hop Research and Brewing in Žalec from European and American germplasm. It is a new aroma variety with high alpha-acids content. Profile descriptions include pineapple, orange, lime, crème caramel, vanilla, sweet fruits, jasmine, and herbal.  Works well with all hop-forward beers, including American, Belgian, and British styles, especially modern IPAs.

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    Styrian Celeia

    • Alpha Acids: 3.0 – 6.5%
    • Beta Acids: 2.0 – 3.3%
    • Cohumulone: 26 – 29%
    • Total Oil (ml/100g): 1.5 – 3.6%
    • Humulene: 18 – 23%
    • Caryophyllene: 8 – 9%
    • Farnesene: 3 – 7%
    • Linalool: 0.6 – 1.2%
    • Myrcene: 26 – 40%

    Celeia is a triploid variety bred at the Slovenian Institute of Hop Research and Brewing in Žalec from Savinjski Golding and Slovenian male germplasm. It was bred to improve the agronomic value of traditional Savinjski Golding and to keep the noble aroma characteristics. This variety is recognized for its noble hoppy aroma and its pleasant and harmonic bitterness. Profile descriptions include floral, citrus, grapefruit, resinous, and earthy. Works well with classic European and British styles where noble characteristics are desired. Styrian Celeia is a quintessential hop for Belgian pale ales and saisons, and British ales – noble with significant depth.

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    Styrian Dragon

    • Alpha Acids: 6 – 11%
    • Beta Acids: 7.5 – 8.5%
    • Cohumulone: 23 – 24%
    • Total Oil (ml/100g): 1.5 – 2.1%
    • Humulene: 12.0 – 16.5%
    • Caryophyllene: 5.5 – 6.7%
    • Farnesene: <1%
    • Linalool: <1%
    • Myrcene: 58 – 63%

    Styrian Dragon was bred at the Slovenian Institute of Hop Research and Brewing in Žalec from European and American germplasm. It is a new aroma variety.  Profile descriptions include floral citrus, grapefruit, lemon, litchi, tropical fruit, berries, rose, and spice.  Works well with all hop-forward beers including American, Belgian, and British styles, especially modern IPAs.

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    Styrian Kolibri

    • Alpha Acids: 2 – 6%
    • Beta Acids: 1.8 – 5.4
    • Cohumulone: 21 – 25%
    • Total Oil (ml/100g): 1 – 2%
    • Humulene: 16 – 21%
    • Caryophyllene: 5.5 – 7.0%
    • Farnesene: 25 – 27%
    • Linalool: <1%
    • Myrcene: 32 – 38%

    Styrian Kolibri bred was at the Slovenian Institute of Hop Research and Brewing in Žalec from European and American germplasm. It is a new aroma variety with low alpha acids content. Profile descriptions include blackcurrant, blueberry, pineapple, kiwi, straw, and cannabis.  This subtle hop works well with classic European styles, especially pilsner and Kölsch, and English styles, but also with hop-forward beers.

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    Styrian Wolf

    • Alpha Acids: 11.6 – 18.5%
    • Beta Acids: 5 – 6
    • Cohumulone: 22 – 23%
    • Total Oil (ml/100g): 3 – 4.5%
    • Humulene: 5 – 9%
    • Caryophyllene: 2 – 3%
    • Farnesene: 4.5 – 6.5%
    • Linalool: 0.8 – 1.3%
    • Myrcene: 60 – 70%

    Styrian Wolf bred was at the Slovenian Institute of Hop Research and Brewing in Žalec from European and American germplasm. This variety is distinguished by its intense, pungent aroma. It is a new aroma variety with high alpha acids content. Profile descriptions include candied orange, mango, melon, coconut, lemongrass, passionfruit, fruit punch, and pungent. Works well with all hop-forward beers, including American, Belgian, and British styles, especially modern IPAs. Styrian Wolf is similar in character to the US hop SabroTM.

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