Nelson Sauvin Hops

New Zealand Nelson Sauvin Hop Profile

Nelson Sauvin™ was developed by the New Zealand Plant and Food Research program and released in 2000. A hop variety named after sauvignon blanc, Nelson Sauvin™ is celebrated for its cool-climate, white wine grape-like flavor. Although a dual-purpose hop (10-13%), Nelson Sauvin is primarily used for aroma and flavor as brewers chase extreme fruitiness, passionfruit, and crushed gooseberries. Nelson plays well in familiar, fruit-forward IPAs, but the flavor profile also fits nicely in light, crushable ales, pilsners, and saisons. Nelson Sauvin's rise to fame ran paralleled with the height of craft beer, putting New Zealand on the map for its reputation of growing uniquely expressive, tropical hops. A vibrant hop for daring brewers.

Pedigree: Triploid from NZ Smoothcone
Recommended Beer Styles: IPAs, pale ales, lagers, pilsners, NEIPAs, saisons
Aroma: White wine, gooseberry, grapefruit, mango, lychee, melon
Alpha Acids: 12-13%
Beta Acids: 6-8%
Cohumulone: 22-26%
Total Oil (ml/100g): 1-1.2
Myrcene: 21-33%
Humulene: 35-37%
Caryophyllene: 10-12%
Farnesene: <1%

Updated Nov. 2025