Nelson Sauvin
White Wine Sophistication • Gooseberry & Grape • New Zealand's Signature Hop
Nelson Sauvin is New Zealand's most celebrated hop, prized for an utterly unique white wine character reminiscent of Sauvignon Blanc — the grape that gave it its name. Notes of gooseberry, fresh grape, and tropical fruit make it one of the most distinctive and sought-after varieties in the world, capable of giving a beer genuine vinous elegance.
With alpha acids of 12%, Nelson Sauvin can certainly bitter, but its rare flavor profile makes it far more valuable in late additions where the wine-like character can develop fully.
Flavor & Aroma Profile
- Sauvignon Blanc white wine character
- Tart gooseberry
- Fresh crushed grape
- Juicy tropical fruit
- Crisp, dry, vinous finish
Used sparingly, Nelson lends an intriguing winey complexity to blends. As a featured hop, it produces strikingly vinous, fruit-forward beers unlike anything brewed with American varieties.
Brewing Applications
Nelson Sauvin is a staple ingredient in many modern and experimental styles, including:
- Hazy / New England IPA
- New Zealand Pilsner
- American IPA
- Double IPA
- Brut IPA
- Saison
It also brings unexpected sophistication to farmhouse and Brett beers, where its grape character plays beautifully with fermentation-derived complexity.
Usage Recommendations
For a 5-gallon batch, use 1–2 oz across whirlpool and dry hop for full white wine expression, with bittering from a neutral hop. In a NZ pilsner, even 0.5–1 oz late creates a remarkably distinctive lager.
Nelson pairs exceptionally well with Galaxy and Citra — the gooseberry-vinous note threads through tropical hop bills like a sommelier's signature.
Specifications
- Alpha Acid: 12%
- Flavor Notes: White wine, gooseberry, tropical, grape
- Typical Use: Dual-purpose, favoring aroma
- Common Additions: Whirlpool, dry hop
- Substitutes: Galaxy, Motueka
- Beer Styles: Hazy IPAs, NZ pilsners, double IPAs, saisons
Whether you're crafting a vinous hazy IPA or an elegant New Zealand pilsner, Nelson Sauvin delivers the one-of-a-kind white wine character no other hop can imitate.
Description
White Wine Sophistication • Gooseberry & Grape • New Zealand's Signature Hop
Nelson Sauvin is New Zealand's most celebrated hop, prized for an utterly unique white wine character reminiscent of Sauvignon Blanc — the grape that gave it its name. Notes of gooseberry, fresh grape, and tropical fruit make it one of the most distinctive and sought-after varieties in the world, capable of giving a beer genuine vinous elegance.
With alpha acids of 12%, Nelson Sauvin can certainly bitter, but its rare flavor profile makes it far more valuable in late additions where the wine-like character can develop fully.
Flavor & Aroma Profile
- Sauvignon Blanc white wine character
- Tart gooseberry
- Fresh crushed grape
- Juicy tropical fruit
- Crisp, dry, vinous finish
Used sparingly, Nelson lends an intriguing winey complexity to blends. As a featured hop, it produces strikingly vinous, fruit-forward beers unlike anything brewed with American varieties.
Brewing Applications
Nelson Sauvin is a staple ingredient in many modern and experimental styles, including:
- Hazy / New England IPA
- New Zealand Pilsner
- American IPA
- Double IPA
- Brut IPA
- Saison
It also brings unexpected sophistication to farmhouse and Brett beers, where its grape character plays beautifully with fermentation-derived complexity.
Usage Recommendations
For a 5-gallon batch, use 1–2 oz across whirlpool and dry hop for full white wine expression, with bittering from a neutral hop. In a NZ pilsner, even 0.5–1 oz late creates a remarkably distinctive lager.
Nelson pairs exceptionally well with Galaxy and Citra — the gooseberry-vinous note threads through tropical hop bills like a sommelier's signature.
Specifications
- Alpha Acid: 12%
- Flavor Notes: White wine, gooseberry, tropical, grape
- Typical Use: Dual-purpose, favoring aroma
- Common Additions: Whirlpool, dry hop
- Substitutes: Galaxy, Motueka
- Beer Styles: Hazy IPAs, NZ pilsners, double IPAs, saisons
Whether you're crafting a vinous hazy IPA or an elegant New Zealand pilsner, Nelson Sauvin delivers the one-of-a-kind white wine character no other hop can imitate.
