NZ Southern Cross™
(11-14% AA)
A dual purpose / soft bittering hop with a citrus lemon zest character with hints of pine
Breeding:
NZ Southern Cross is a triploid cross between the New Zealand variety Smoothcone and a 1950's research variety bred from a crossing of an early North American type known as the Cali (short for Californian) with the ubiquitous English Fuggle. Released from New Zealand's HortResearch hop breeding programme at Riwaka in 1994.
Selection:
The aroma is characterised by a heady mix of lemon peel and pine needles layered beneath a clean spiciness during selection. NZ Southern Cross has an excellent essential oil profile and low Cohumulone while producing consistent levels of alpha acid.
Brewing:
A kettle variety of the highest order NZ Southern Cross imparts a soft bitterness with a subtle resinous quality. The essential oil component is such that it can deliver a delicate balance of citrus and spice when added at the end of boil or a much bigger punch in the hopback or direct to the fermenter.
'A hop with many talent'
Applications:
Alpha Acids and Total Oil matched with low cohumulone find this extraordinary hop several applications, single or multi-purpose to achieve subtle citrusy lager to big fruity driven ales.