Southern Cross Hops originated in New Zealand and developed as a cross between Smoothcone, Fuggle, and an American variety. Released in 1994, these hops are known for their high Alpha acids and zesty essence. Southern Cross Hops offer a flavor and aroma profile characterized by citrus lemon zest, pine, and a clean spiciness.
This versatile hop can be used in various beer styles, including Pale Ales, IPAs, Lagers, hoppy American styles, and fruit-driven ales. Its low cohumulone levels and excellent essential oil profile make it a popular choice among brewers for both bittering and aroma purposes.
| Usage: | Dual-Purpose |
| Country of Origin: | New Zealand |
| Hop Growers Code: | SOX 77-60 |
Where To Buy Southern Cross Hops
Southern Cross Flavor And Aroma
Southern Cross is a dual-purpose hop that is often described to have the following aroma characteristics:
citrus
spice
woody
Southern Cross Hop Oil Breakdown
Hop oils can vary from year to year and farm to farm but based on our research, here are the typical values we have seen reported. This information comes from various hop farms, The Hop Aroma Compendium, and For The Love Of Hops.
| Alpha Acid % (AA) Alpha acids are what is isomerized when boiling to create bitterness in beer. | 11% – 14% |
| Beta Acid % Beta acids are what give hops their more aroma and flavor compounds. | 5% – 6% |
| Alpha-Beta Ratio This ratio of alpha acids to beta acids determines how quickly bitterness fades during aging. Lower ratios are common for aromatic varieties. | 2:1 – 3:1 |
| Co-Humulone as a % of Alpha Higher numbers are said to impart a harsher bitterness. | 25% – 28% |
| Total Oils (mL/100g) With more total oils, typically comes a more complex hop profile but these are highly volatile compounds. | 1.0mL – 1.5mL |
| Myrcene green, resinous | 30% – 35% |
| Humulene woody, piney | 19% – 22% |
| Caryophyllene woody | 6% – 7% |
| Farnesene floral | 7% – 8% |
| Other Oils: Includes beta-ionine, beta-pinene, limonene, linalool, geranoil & selinene | 31% – 36% |
| Hop Storage Index (HSI) The HSI indicates the percent of alpha and beta acids lost after 6 months of storage at room temperature (68°F or 20°C). | Retains 71% alpha acid after 6 months storage at 20ºC (68ºF). |
| Hop Storage Index (HSI) Rating | Good |
Southern Cross Hop Substitutions
Replacing one hop for another is seldom straightforward but sometimes you don’t have the right hop or the right quantity of hops for the beer you want to make. For those situations, we have made a comprehensive list of hops to substitute on brew day.
These substitutions aren’t perfect as hop chemistry is pretty complex.
We wanted to make this list of substitutions with varietals that are easy to find when possible. For Southern Cross, we recommend substituting with the following hops:
Beer Styles
For the most part, any hop could have a place in just about any beer style. Based on popular beers, historical usage, and our own preferences, we would recommend using Southern Cross for IPA, New England IPA, Pale Ale, Wheat Beer, Golden Ale. That being said, experiment and see what works best for you.
References
https://www.hopslist.com/
https://www.ars.usda.gov/
https://www.brewersassociation.org/
https://www.barthhaasx.com/
https://www.yakimachief.com/
Hieronymus, Stan. For The Love of Hops. Brewers Publications, 2012
The Hop Aroma Compendium. 2012
