Hoppy Tuesday Everyone!
This week I'm here to talk to you about an interesting bittering hop, Southern Cross! What's so interesting about it? Let's jump right into it and find out.
Southern Cross is a New Zealand hop variety that was originally developed as a bittering hop. Born in 1994 at the New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research as part of the hop breeding program Southern Cross is a mix of New Zealand Smoothcone and a mix of Californian and English Fuggle. Recently, because of its low co-humulone levels and large amounts of essential oils, Southern Cross is making its way into hoppy American styles as an aromatic hop because of its fruity/citrus notes.
Now let's see what the boys back at the lab are saying about this variety:
Alpha Acid: 11-14%
Beta Acid: 5-6%
Total Oil: 1.2mL/100g
Aroma & Flavor Profile: Citrus, tropical fruit, lemon zest, lime, pine and spice (though some brewers are saying that the tropical notes are the most prominent)
Southern Cross is a wonderful hop variety that gives you everything you could ask for in a hop. It has those tropical notes in the aroma that everyone wants in their IPAs and pale ales but it also has the bittering power that these styles require. If you ask me, this variety would be great in a single hop beer.
That's all we've got this week! As always, feel free to let us know what you think about Southern Cross. Be sure to come down to the store or order online for all of your hop and brewing needs.
Thank you all for your continued support! It's because of this that we are able to supply you with the best equipment and freshest ingredients.
Until next week!
Hoppy brewing 
🍻