Spalt and Spalter Select: A Hoppy Adventure for Your Taste Buds

Reading Time: around 12 min

Spalt hops and Spalter Select hops might sound like siblings, but they’re more like distant cousins with a flair for brewing drama. These German hop varieties bring unique flavors to your beer, making it sing with spicy, floral, and woody notes.

You’ll find them cozying up to various beer styles, adding their special touch to each sip.

Spalt hops shine in German lagers, Kölsch, and Belgian ales.

While Spalter Select hops are perfect for pilsners and light lagers.

But don’t let that limit you! These hops are like that adventurous friend who’s always up for trying new things. You can experiment with them in different beer styles and create your own hoppy masterpiece.

Ready to hop on the Spalt and Spalter Select train? Buckle up, because we’re about to take your taste buds on a wild ride through the world of these aromatic wonders. You’ll learn how to use them, what beers they love.

And why they might just become your new brewing besties.

Key Takeaways

Spalt and Spalter Select hops offer unique flavors for various beer styles
These German hops add spicy, floral, and woody notes to your brews
Experiment with both hop varieties to create your own signature beers

Unraveling the Hoppy Heritage

Get ready for a hop-tastic journey through time and taste! You’re about to discover the rich history and unique qualities of Spalt and Spalter Select hops. These German gems have quite the story to tell.

Hop History: Spalt and Spalter Select

Picture this: It’s 1993, and German hop breeders are on a mission. They take the classic Spalt hop and give it a makeover. The result? Spalter Select is born! This new kid on the block keeps the best traits of its parent but with a twist.

It’s tougher against diseases and gives farmers more hops to harvest. Win-win!

Spalt hops have been around for centuries. They’re like the wise grandpa of the hop world. Brewers love them for their mild, spicy kick. Spalter Select? It’s the cool cousin who brings a bit more zing to the party.

A Tale of Two Towns: Spalt and Tettnang Regions

You might think hops are just hops, right? Wrong! Where they grow matters big time. Spalt hops come from – you guessed it – Spalt, Bavaria. It’s a hop paradise with perfect soil and climate.

Tettnang, another hop hotspot, is like Spalt’s twin town. Both places grow hops that make brewers drool. The secret? It’s all about location, location, location! These regions have been perfecting hop-growing for ages.

Fun fact: Spalt and Tettnang hops are very similar, they’re like long-lost brothers.

You can often swap one for the other in your brew. Neat, huh?

The Noble Lineage: German Hop Seal

Ever heard of the “Noble Four” hops? It’s like an elite club, and Spalt’s a VIP member. These hops are the real deal, with a seal to prove it. The German Hop Seal is like a gold star for top-notch hops.

To join this fancy hop club, you need:

A family tree older than your great-grandma
A subtle, refined aroma (no stinky hops allowed!)
A hometown with a long hop-growing history

Spalt ticks all these boxes. It’s why brewers go nuts for it in lagers and pilsners. You want authentic German beer taste? Spalt’s your hop!

Botanical Breakdown: What Makes Spalt Splendid

Spalt and Spalter Select hops are botanical treasures that pack a punch in your brew. These green gems hold secrets that’ll make your beer sing. Let’s dig into what makes them tick.

Main Characteristics

Purpose: Aroma
Aromas: Noble, Floral, Spicy, Herbal
Notes: Woody, Earthy, Sweet Fruits
Alpha-acids:
- Spalt: 2.5% – 5.5% [bitterness added through boiling]
- Select: 3.0% – 6.5% [bitterness added through boiling]
Beta-acids:
- Spalt: 3.0% – 5.0% [bitterness added through maturation]
- Select: 2.5% – 5.0% [bitterness added through maturation]
Cohumulone: 21% – 28% of alpha-acids [bitterness profile: low = smooth, high = sharp]
Hops oil breakdown: 0.5 – 1.0 mL / 100g [responsible for flavors and aromas]
- Myrcene:
  - Spalt: 20% – 35% [resinous, citrus, fruity]
  - Select: 20% – 40% [resinous, citrus, fruity]
- Humulene:
  - Spalt: 20% – 30% [noble, woody, spicy]
  - Select: 10% – 22% [noble, woody, spicy]
- Caryophyllene:
  - Spalt: 8% – 13% [spicy, piney, herbal]
  - Select: 4% – 10% [spicy, piney, herbal]
- Farnesene:
  - Spalt: 12% – 18% [fresh, green, floral]
  - Select: 15% – 22% [fresh, green, floral]

Anatomy of a Hop: Alpha and Beta Acids Unearthed

You’re in for a treat with these hop varieties. Spalt hops bring a modest alpha acid content to the party, usually around 2.5-5.5%. Their beta acids hover in the 3-5% range. Spalter Select, the cool cousin, kicks it up a notch with 3-6.5% alpha acids.

These numbers might seem small, but they’re mighty in flavor.

Want to add a gentle bitterness to your brew? Spalt’s your guy. Need a bit more bite? Spalter Select’s got your back. The beta acids in both varieties help keep your beer fresh longer. It’s like they’re tiny flavor guardians in your bottle.

Oily Business: The Total Oil Content

Now, let’s talk oils. These aren’t the kind you fry your eggs in, but they’re just as important. Spalt hops boast a total oil content of 0.5-1.0 ml per 100 grams. Spalter Select might up the ante a tad and sometimes you find 1.2 ml.

What does this mean for your beer? Aroma, baby! These oils are why your nose does a happy dance when you take a whiff. They bring floral, spicy, and fruity notes to the table. It’s like a botanical perfume for your brew.

Disease Defenders: Wilt and Mildew Resistance

You know what’s not fun? Sick hops. But don’t worry, Spalter Select’s got armor. This hop variety was bred to be a tough cookie against downy mildew and wilt. It’s like giving your hops a superhero cape.

Spalt hops, while delicious, can be a bit more delicate. They’re the divas of the hop world, needing a bit more TLC. But with proper care, they’ll reward you with amazing flavors. It’s like having a high-maintenance friend…

…who always brings the best snacks to the party.

A Whiff of Wonder: Aromas Unveiled

Get ready for a fragrant journey through the world of Spalt and Spalter Select hops. These German beauties pack quite the aromatic punch, giving your beer a unique personality.

Sniffing Out the Scent: Floral, Herbal, and Spicy

Close your eyes and take a deep whiff of Spalt hops. What do you smell? A bouquet of floral notes dances with earthy undertones. It’s like strolling through a garden after a spring rain. Now, let’s sniff Spalter Select. Surprise! It’s a spicy kick to your nostrils.

These hops bring a mix of herbal and floral aromas to your brew. Think of it as nature’s perfume for your beer. Spalter Select adds a touch of fruitiness too, with hints of sweet fruits that’ll make you go bananas!

Hopping with Essential Oils: Myrcene, Humulene, and Friends

Ever wondered what gives hops their magical scent? It’s all thanks to tiny flavor bombs called essential oils. Myrcene leads the pack, bringing those lovely resinous and fruity notes to the party.

Humulene crashes in with its nobley yet spicy attitude, while caryophyllene adds a herbal-spicy twist. Don’t forget farnesene – it’s the shy one, adding subtle floral hints. These oils work together like a well-oiled machine (pun intended)…

…to create the unique Spalt and Spalter Select aromas.

Want to geek out? Here’s a quick breakdown:

Myrcene: Resin, fruity
Humulene: Noble, Spicy
Caryophyllene: Peppery, Herbal
Farnesene: Subtle floral

Perfect Pairings: Beer Styles Best Buddies

Spalt and Spalter Select hops are like the cool kids at the beer party. They play nice with a bunch of different styles, adding their unique flair to each brew. Let’s check out some of their BFFs in the beer world.

The Lagers and Pilsners: A Match Made in Hopyard Heaven

You’ll find Spalt and Spalter Select cozying up to lagers and pilsners like they were made for each other. And guess what? They kinda were! These hops bring a subtle, spicy kick that makes your crisp lagers sing.

Try them in a:

Spalt Bier (d’oh!)
German Pilsner
Helles Lager
Czech Pils

Your taste buds will thank you for that noble hop character.

It’s like a gentle high-five for your tongue.

Ale’s Well That Ends Well: Top Taps for Ales

Don’t think these hops are just lager lovers. They’ve got a soft spot for ales too. Spalt and Spalter Select can turn a good ale into a great one.

Perfect ale pairings:

Kölsch
Belgian Ale
Wheat Beer

These hops add a touch of floral and spice notes that’ll make you go “Mmm, what’s that?” It’s like finding a secret ingredient in your favorite recipe.

Best of the Bocks: Finding Spalt Select’s Soulmates

Bocks and Spalt Select? Now that’s a love story for the ages. This hop variety brings out the best in these strong, malty brews.

Bock styles to try:

Classic Bock
Doppelbock
Maibock

The hop’s earthy, herbal notes complement the rich malt flavors. It’s like adding the perfect spice to your favorite hearty stew. You’ll wonder how you ever enjoyed a bock without it.

Brewing Up a Storm: Practical Applications

Ready to take your beer game to the next level? Let’s dive into the nitty-gritty of using Spalt and Spalter Select hops. These German gems can turn your homebrew into liquid gold if you know the tricks.

Early or Late: When to Add Spalt to the Pot

Timing is everything, folks! For bittering, toss in your Spalt hops early in the boil. Aim for about 1 oz or a tad more at 60 minutes if you want that crisp bitterness. But hey, why stop there?

Late additions are where the magic happens. Try adding some Spalter Select at 15 minutes before flameout. This’ll give you a nice flavor punch without going overboard on the bitterness.

For a real treat, toss in a handful at 5 minutes.

You’ll get a lovely aroma that’ll make your neighbors jealous.

60 minutes: 0.75-1 oz/gal for bittering
15 minutes: 0.5-0.75 oz/gal for flavor
5 minutes: 0.5-0.75 oz/gal for aroma

Style Name	Brewing Stage	Min of Oz per gallon	Max of Oz per gallon	Min of Oz per batch [5gal]	Max of Oz per batch [5gal]	Average of Oz per gallon
Koelsch	Aroma	0.03	0.53	0.17	2.67	0.16
	Bittering	0.07	0.53	0.36	2.67	0.21
	First Wort	0.07	0.3	0.36	1.51	0.19
	Flavor	0.04	0.5	0.21	2.5	0.13
	Whirlpool	0.02	0.18	0.09	0.91	0.1
Koelsch Total		0.02	0.53	0.09	2.67	0.18
German Pilsner	Aroma	0.03	0.42	0.13	2.11	0.16
	Bittering	0.05	0.63	0.23	3.16	0.22
	Dry Hop	0.07	0.22	0.36	1.11	0.14
	First Wort	0.05	0.36	0.23	1.82	0.19
	Flavor	0.03	0.76	0.13	3.82	0.17
	Whirlpool	0.08	0.44	0.38	2.22	0.21
German Pilsner Total		0.03	0.76	0.13	3.82	0.18
Altbier	Aroma	0.03	0.4	0.13	2	0.18
	Bittering	0.05	0.77	0.27	3.86	0.28
	Dry Hop	0.11	0.22	0.53	1.08	0.17
	First Wort	0.31	0.4	1.54	2	0.36
	Flavor	0.04	0.27	0.21	1.37	0.15
	Whirlpool	0.09	0.32	0.45	1.59	0.18
Altbier Total		0.03	0.77	0.13	3.86	0.21
Weizen	Aroma	0.05	0.67	0.24	3.33	0.16
	Bittering	0.05	0.35	0.23	1.75	0.16
	Dry Hop	0.03	0.17	0.16	0.87	0.09
	Flavor	0.04	0.45	0.19	2.23	0.12
	Whirlpool	0.11	0.21	0.53	1.07	0.18
Weizen Total		0.03	0.67	0.16	3.33	0.14
Saison	Aroma	0.09	0.55	0.43	2.73	0.16
	Bittering	0.06	0.48	0.31	2.38	0.21
	Dry Hop	0.18	0.38	0.91	1.91	0.3
	Flavor	0.04	0.2	0.21	1	0.14
	Whirlpool	0.17	0.19	0.83	0.94	0.18
Saison Total		0.04	0.55	0.21	2.73	0.18

Style Name	Brewing Stage	Min of Grams per liter	Max of Grams per liter	Min of Grams per batch [20ltr]	Max of Grams per batch [20ltr]	Average of Grams per liter
Koelsch	Aroma	0.25	4	5	80	1.2
	Bittering	0.53	4	10.7	80	1.57
	First Wort	0.53	2.26	10.7	45.29	1.44
	Flavor	0.31	3.74	6.24	74.89	0.94
	Whirlpool	0.14	1.36	2.78	27.27	0.78
Koelsch Total		0.14	4	2.78	80	1.32
German Pilsner	Aroma	0.2	3.16	4	63.16	1.2
	Bittering	0.34	4.74	6.81	94.74	1.66
	Dry Hop	0.54	1.66	10.89	33.29	1.02
	First Wort	0.34	2.72	6.81	54.47	1.43
	Flavor	0.2	5.72	4	114.47	1.25
	Whirlpool	0.58	3.33	11.52	66.57	1.56
German Pilsner Total		0.2	5.72	4	114.47	1.33
Altbier	Aroma	0.19	3	3.85	60	1.36
	Bittering	0.4	5.79	8	115.74	2.13
	Dry Hop	0.8	1.62	16	32.43	1.22
	First Wort	2.3	3	46.09	59.91	2.65
	Flavor	0.32	2.05	6.36	40.96	1.15
	Whirlpool	0.68	2.38	13.62	47.62	1.35
Altbier Total		0.19	5.79	3.85	115.74	1.56
Weizen	Aroma	0.36	4.99	7.13	99.86	1.21
	Bittering	0.35	2.62	7	52.42	1.19
	Dry Hop	0.24	1.3	4.81	26.09	0.72
	Flavor	0.28	3.33	5.67	66.67	0.87
	Whirlpool	0.79	1.6	15.79	32	1.31
Weizen Total		0.24	4.99	4.81	99.86	1.08
Saison	Aroma	0.65	4.08	13.02	81.7	1.19
	Bittering	0.47	3.57	9.36	71.33	1.6
	Dry Hop	1.36	2.86	27.23	57.14	2.27
	Flavor	0.31	1.5	6.24	29.96	1.02
	Whirlpool	1.25	1.41	24.96	28.26	1.34
Saison Total		0.31	4.08	6.24	81.7	1.34

*This data consists of hundreds of thousands of manually input recipes and, despite best efforts, they may contain errors leading to very high max amounts, or be someone’s attempt for experimental brew. You should consider this data more as an overview of how different ingredients were used for different styles to get inspiration. Please do not attempt to add up different lines as it’s all about proportions.

Maximizing Flavor and Aroma: Dry Hopping with Style

Want to knock your socks off? Try dry hopping with Spalter Select.

It’s like giving your beer a fancy cologne.

Add about 1-2 oz per 5 gallons after primary fermentation. Let it sit for 3-5 days. Your beer will thank you with notes of woody, spice, herbs and flowers that’ll make you weak in the knees.

Pro tip: Use a hop bag to keep things tidy.

Nobody likes fishing out loose hops from their brew.

Remember, a little goes a long way. These hops are subtle, so don’t go crazy. You’re aiming for elegance, not a hop explosion. Let’s keep some respect for the noblest of the noble hops.

Recipe Reconnaissance: Spalt’s Starring Roles

Time to put these hops to work! Spalt and Spalter Select shine in German-style beers. They’re like the David Hasselhoff of the hop world – big in Germany.

For a classic Kölsch, use Spalt for bittering (60 min) and Spalter Select for aroma (5 min). Or other way around depending on availability. Aim for about 20-25 IBUs total.

Brewing a Bavarian lager? Go for a 50/50 mix of Spalt and Spalter Select throughout the boil. Start with bittering at 60 minutes, then flavor at 20, and aroma at 5.

Feeling adventurous? Try a German Pilsner with all Spalter Select.

Use this hop schedule:

60 minutes: 1 oz/gal
20 minutes: 0.5 oz/gal
5 minutes: 0.5 oz/gal

Your taste buds will do a happy dance, guaranteed!

The Global Hop Odyssey: Exploring Spalt’s Cousins

Spalt hops have some fascinating relatives around the world. Let’s take a hop-filled journey to meet these aromatic cousins and see how they can spice up your brews.

Saaz and Beyond: The Czech Connection

Ever wondered why Czech beers taste so darn good? It’s all thanks to Saaz hops, Spalt’s spicy cousin from across the border. These noble hops give Pilsners their signature zing. Want to brew a Czech-style lager?

Swap Spalt for Saaz, and you’ll be singing “Na zdraví!” in no time.

But don’t stop there! Try pairing Spalt and Saaz in your next brew. It’s like a flavor party in your mouth – spicy meets earthy, with a dash of floral fun. Just remember, a little goes a long way. You don’t want your beer tasting like a spice rack explosion!

American Adaptations: Liberty and the US Tettnanger

Hold onto your brew kettles, folks! The Americans have crashed the hop party. Liberty hops are like Spalt’s laid-back cousin who moved to California. They bring a mild, spicy kick with a touch of lemon. Perfect for when you want to add some…

…Yankee flair to your German-style beers.

And let’s not forget US Tettnanger. It’s like the Tettnanger hop hopped on a plane and got a Hollywood makeover. Use it when you can’t find Spalt, or mix them for a transatlantic taste sensation. Your taste buds will thank you!

The Bavarian Cousins: Hallertau and Hersbrucker

Time for a Bavarian family reunion! Hallertau hops are like Spalt’s more popular sibling. They’re everywhere in German beers. They bring a mild, spicy-floral aroma that’ll make you want to break out the lederhosen.

Hersbrucker is the quiet cousin, with a subtle nobility all its own. It’s perfect when you want to add a gentle touch of spice and herbs to your brew. Try subbing Spalt with Hersbrucker in your next lager, or mix them both for a true taste of Bavaria.

Remember, brewing with these hops is like cooking with spices. Experiment, have fun, and don’t be afraid to mix and match. Your perfect beer recipe is out there waiting to be discovered!

Damian

A lifelong learner, hop enthusiast and a lover of the state of extreme exhaustion.

Finance Analyst in the Investment Bank and co-founder of hopsmatcher.com