Description
Australian-born multi-purpose variety Topaz features elements of clove-like spice and a light, lychee-esque fruitiness. Samuel Adams uses it in their Tasman Red IPA. When used alongside a citrus-heavy hop (Samuel Adams used Galaxy), it gives a surprising depth of flavour.
Created in 1985 by Hop Products Australia in the Rostrevor Breeding Garden in Victoria, Topaz was always intended to be a high-alpha hop. The result of a mix between an Australian high-alpha variety and a UK male sourced from Wye College in England, Topaz is a unique blend of Australian and European flavours and aromas.
Topaz was initially used as a bittering hop, but in the late 2000s increased experimentation with the variety uncovered its intense worth as a late addition. It features resinous and grassy notes when dry hopped and its fruity profile really shines when utilised in higher gravity recipes.
| Characteristics |
Light, tropical fruit flavours of lychee, clove-like spice and resinous grassy tones when dry hopped |
| Purpose |
Bittering & Aroma |
| Alpha Acid |
13.7%-17.7% |
| Origin |
Australia |
| Substitutes |
Galaxy, Citra, Cascade, Riwaka, Amarillo |
| Styles |
India Pale Ale, American Pale Ale, Bitter, Amber |
