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.