Our Sterling Hops were, for want of a better word, absolutely “Sterling” this year. We love these Hops, They grow particularly well on our farm here in Ontario. My wife is quite fond of the Pilsner I brew with these beautiful hops.
Sterling Hops
Root Stock Sourced from the U.S. Cultivated in Ontario
Current Availability of Dried Whole leaf Hops in Vacuum Sealed packets is:
approximately 17.5 lbs
Origin and Description
Sterling hops was developed in 1990 is a diploid variety bred from 21522F and 21361M. In the end Sterling Hops ended up as 1/2 Saaz (Saazer) Hops, 1/4 Cascade, 1/8 64035M (German Aroma X Open Pollination), 1/16 Brewers Gold Hops, 1/32 Early Green, and 1/32 unknown. Sterling Hops a very interesting mix that is American Pale Ale meets Bohemian Lager, and was released in 1998.
Sterling Hops is a dual use variety, and the range of the alpha acid content is 4.5%-9.0% with it likely ending up on the higher side of that scale. Sterling has a low to moderate co-humulone content as well and is sometimes dubbed as a noble variety. Sterling is compared to Saaz in many ways and brings a choice delicate bitterness. The oils lay in a unique pattern with very high content for farnesene, elevated myrcene and humulene and lower than most varieties for caryophyllene oil. The result is a slightly spicy fragrance with a herbal floral punch with notes of citrus. Sounds delicious.
Sterling Hops is a relatively good yielding hops plant on the global scale and yields 1800-2000 lbs/acre. This is moderate for the Northwest U.S. varieties. The medium size compact hops cones are harvested mid season after a moderately vigorous growing cycle. Sterling Hops were bred as a replacement for Saaz which has both a low yield and susceptibility to disease and fungus. Sterling hops, however, overcame both and is tolerant to both Downy Mildew as well as Powdery Mildew. Sterling hops is a popular variety for beer, largely in the U.S. craft brewing market. It is a versatile hops variety and stays true to its diverse heritage. Sterling Hops is well suited for beer styles such as American Ales, Czech Lagers and Pilsners, and Belgian Style Ales.
Sterling Hops Usage
Sterling hops is commonly used for both its aromatic qualities as well as its bittering qualities.
Sterling Hops Characteristics
Below is a list of characteristics for sterling hops.
Sterling Hops Acid Composition
| Alpha Acid Composition | 4.5%-9% |  |
| Beta Acid Composition | 4%-6% |  |
| Co-Humulone Composition | 21%-28% |  |