
Saaz is the classic Czech noble hop and the defining aroma of Czech Pilsner. A traditional landrace grown around Žatec, it is very mild, with spicy, woody, herbal and gently floral notes.
Hop profile
- Origin: Czech Republic (Žatec region), a traditional landrace variety
- Alpha acid: low, typically around 3-4.5%
- Aroma: spicy and woody (tarragon, lavender, cedar), herbal, floral, with a hint of honey
- Type: aroma hop
How to use it
Use it for late additions and as a gentle bittering hop in lagers. Because the alpha acid is low you need more by weight for bitterness, so many brewers bitter with a higher-alpha hop and keep Saaz for flavour and aroma. Alpha acid changes from crop to crop, so check the figure on your pack and scale your recipe with our Hops Alpha Adjustment calculator.
Who it's for
Brewers of Czech and German pilsners, lagers, Kölsch, wheat beers and Belgian ales. T90 pellets are the standard form for home brewing - consistent, easy to weigh and easy to store. Keep the opened pack sealed and cold; our hop storage guide explains how.
A 100g pack is also available: Saaz (T90 Pellet).
Related hops
- Spalter - German Saaz-group hop
- Tettnanger - noble German aroma
- Celeia (Styrian Goldings) - delicate continental aroma