NZ Hops has followed the 2020 launch of Nectaron with the launch today of Superdelic.

Superdelic is the commercial name for the hop known as NZH-102 during trials, and was in development for more than 10 years after being crossed by Dr. Ron Beatson in 2012 through the hop co-operatives breeding program partnership with New Zealand’s Plant and Food Research.

NZ Hops general manager Blair Stewart said early brewer trials suggest it will deliver ‘like no other’.

“This exceptional hop is a playful number, with red fruit, candy, citrus and tropical fruit characteristics, offering brewers something totally different to use in their craft. We’re excited to release this unique hop and expect it will create a frenzy,” he said in a media release.

Through NZ Hops’ Bract Brewing Programme, select brewers trialled Superdelic with Sawmill Brewery’s Mike Sutherland noting it was ‘something special’.

“In a Hazy IPA it revealed its ripe mango, sweet berry, and citrus notes. We also noticed its unique performance, with great biotransformation properties from dry hopping during active fermentation. It is an incredible addition to our brewery. We were lucky to be one of the first to try it,” Sutherland said.

A specification sheet for the hop supplied by the brewery for its trial Hazy IPA described its results.

“Big notes of sweet berry in the final product, potentially from the biotransformation,” the brewer notes said.

“We felt that there were bigger aromas of citrus and mango with the raw hop and early fermentation dry hop. Well-balanced resinous backbone that helps round out the profile.”

“Lent itself well to our Hazy IPA. New world pale ales and IPAs would benefit best. Beers with a more pronounced ester character from kviek yeasts may also do well with this hop, as it seems to change quite drastically with biotransformation.”

Dr Ron Beatson, who led the hop breeding programme at Plant & Food Research before his retirement in 2021, said in a media release that the use of both European ancestry and New Zealand stocks when breeding Superdelic has resulted in flavours different from others in the portfolio, complimenting other varieties when used together.

NZ Hops said the new variety is a vital part of its commitment to innovation as “the leader in this country’s hop industry”.

“Over 85% of New Zealand-grown hops are exported, with a turnover of around $40 million. Superdelic follows Nectaron in the growing NZ Hops Ltd brand family.”

“Nectaron brought a whole new flavour profile to the market in 2020, with its full tropical notes. Demand for Nectaron grows every year and we expect the same with Superdelic” says Blair Stewart.

Superdelic will be officially launched during the 2023 harvest and before NZ Hop’s two-day festival, HarFest, to be held in Nelson on 20 & 21 March.

The event will showcase hop growing and the breeding programme to visiting brewers from Australia, United States, United Kingdom and from around New Zealand.