If you are researching new hop varieties like me, you have come to the right place. For the past seven years, I have been writing up hop profiles for all the varieties that interest me.
Mostly, I was unhappy with the descriptions I found online and offline. They were short, vague, and redundant across different websites.
What I try to do is to collect as much information as I can and present as much as a well-rounded profile post as I can.
I like the new hops that have been released lately, especially the ones that are influenced by the American craft beer movement over the past 20 years.
The hops of Australia and New Zealand have most of my attention lately. There is a large collection of these hops in my basement fridge currently and I do have plans for a Down Under IPA. This variety is another one that is worth a full investigation. Here is my profile of Kohatu hops.
One of the things I did find out is that these hops have Hallertauer Mittelfrüeh as a parent. I think this fact plays into a few factors with the hops’ potency.
Read more about the details of Kohatu hops:
Origin: Named after a tiny village south of the hop-growing region of Nelson in New Zealand (not to be confused with the village of the same name in Estonia). It also may take its name from the Maori word meaning stone or rock. They were bred in New Zealand and were released commercially in 2011. They are a product of the NZ hop breeding programme.
Aroma/Flavor: Pineapple is the leading descriptor mentioned in all the sources that I read. One went so far to state “sweaty pineapple pants”. Pine needles, lime, and classic Hawaiian Punch flavors.
Alpha Acid: 6.0 – 6.8%
Typical Usage: With the low alpha acids, Kohatu hops are an flavor or aroma hop, added later in the boil. The sources I read concluded that they were not as strong as the other Southern Hemisphere hops so using lots of them in your beer would not be a bad thing.
Beer Styles: Any beer that you want to showcase fruity, tropical flavors.
So the Hallertauer hop parent makes me think that this variety is a little more refined and subtle than the other Down Under hops like Nelson Sauvin or Motueka. Kohatu may be hops to purchase if you are looking for something to try out but you are not ready for the over the top flavors of the other AU or NZ hops.
Jason Highet
As a homebrewer from New Zealand, I’d just like to point out that Kohatu is a tiny village south of the hop-growing region of Nelson in New Zealand, and also a Maori word meaning stone or rock. I’m guessing the hops are named after this, rather than a village in Estonia!
I’ve used Kohatu a few times before, and I can attest to the Hawaiian fruit salad flavors.
John
Thanks Jason – I altered the post. Great to see that the descriptors are true.