Hop Pellets – Sabro – 2019

Sabro Hops Flavour & Aroma Profile

Sabro hops are a relatively new hop variety that was developed by the Hop Breeding Company and released in 2018. They are a unique hop variety, featuring a complex mix of fruity and citrus flavours, along with herbal and woody undertones. Sabro hops are known for their distinct and complex flavor and aroma profile, which can be described as follows:

1. Fruity: Sabro hops exhibit prominent tropical fruit notes such as coconut, tangerine, and mango, as well as hints of stone fruits like peach or apricot.
2. Citrus: These hops also contribute zesty citrus flavours, with a strong presence of lime, orange, and grapefruit.
3. Herbal: Sabro hops offer a pleasant herbal character, with hints of mint, dill, or lemongrass, adding depth and complexity to the overall profile.
4. Woody: This hop variety has a unique woody and earthy undertone, with cedar or oak-like notes, which can contribute to a beer’s overall complexity.
5. Creamy: Sabro hops are sometimes described as having a creamy or smooth mouthfeel, which can add a unique texture to the beers they are used in.

Sabro Hop Pairings

Sabro hops have a unique and complex flavour and aroma profile, which makes them an exciting choice for hop pairings in various beer styles. When combined with other hops, they can create interesting and complementary layers of flavours and aromas. Here are some hop pairings that work well with Sabro:

1. Citra hops are known for their intense citrus and tropical fruit notes, such as grapefruit, lime, and passion fruit. Pairing Citra with Sabro can enhance the tropical and citrus aspects of both hops, making for a fruit-forward and juicy beer.
2. Mosaic hops offer a mix of fruity, earthy, and piney flavours, with blueberry, tangerine, and floral notes. Combining Sabro and Mosaic can create a complex and balanced blend of tropical, citrus, and berry flavours.
3. Amarillo hops contribute strong orange, grapefruit, and floral characteristics. Pairing them with Sabro can accentuate the citrus and fruity aspects of both hops while adding a touch of floral complexity.
4. El Dorado hops are known for their bold tropical fruit flavours, such as pineapple and mango. When paired with Sabro, they can enhance the tropical fruit presence and create a more intense and vibrant fruit character.
5. Simcoe hops provide pine, earthy, and citrus flavours, with grapefruit and pine resin notes. Combining Sabro and Simcoe can create a complex blend of tropical, citrus, and piney characteristics, adding depth to the beer’s flavour profile.
6. Azacca hops showcase fruity and citrus flavours, such as tangerine, papaya, and mango. Pairing Sabro with Azacca can create a harmonious blend of tropical and citrus flavours, while also adding a subtle spicy character.
7. Galaxy hops are known for their intense tropical fruit and citrus flavours, such as passion fruit, peach, and citrus zest. Combining Galaxy and Sabro can create an explosion of tropical and citrus fruit flavours, making for a highly aromatic and flavorful beer.

These hop pairings can be used in various beer styles, including IPAs, pale ales, and other hop-forward beers, as well as fruit-infused creations. Experimenting with different hop combinations can lead to unique and exciting flavours that showcase the best attributes of Sabro hops and their complementary partners.

Sabro Hop Substitutions

It can be really challenging to find an exact match for Sabro hops due to their unique flavour and aroma profile but there are some hop varieties that can be used as substitutes if Sabro hops are not available. Keep in mind that these substitutes may not provide the exact same characteristics, but they can offer a similar overall impression.

1. HBC 472 is a sister hop to Sabro, developed by the Hop Breeding Company. It exhibits similar coconut and woody flavours but with more pronounced bourbon, oak, and floral characteristics. This hop variety can be a good alternative to Sabro, especially when seeking those unique coconut and woody notes.
2. Cashmere hops can be a suitable substitute for Sabro, as they share some similarities in their tropical and citrus fruit profile. Cashmere offers flavours of melon, lime, and peach, along with a touch of herbal character. While not identical to Sabro, Cashmere can provide a similar fruity and citrus complexity.
3. Although El Dorado hops lack Sabro’s distinct coconut and woody notes, they do provide a bold tropical fruit character, such as pineapple and mango. When looking for a hop substitute that emphasizes tropical fruit flavours, El Dorado can be a suitable option.
4. Azacca hops can offer a similar citrus and tropical fruit profile, with flavours like tangerine, papaya, and mango. While they don’t have the distinct coconut or woody notes of Sabro, they can provide complementary fruitiness in your beer.
5. Citra hops share some of the citrus and tropical fruit characteristics of Sabro, such as grapefruit, lime, and passion fruit. While they lack the coconut and woody aspects, Citra can still be used as a substitute to achieve a fruity and citrus-forward beer.