Nectaron Hops – T90 Pellets
Nectaron® is an intensely aromatic New Zealand hop renowned for its powerful tropical fruit, stone fruit and citrus character. It delivers prominent flavours and aromas of pineapple, passionfruit, ripe peach and grapefruit, with occasional impressions of apricot, nectarine and lime.
Developed by New Zealand’s Plant & Food Research in collaboration with New Zealand Hops, Nectaron is a triploid aroma variety and a full sister to Waimea. It performs particularly well in late-kettle, whirlpool and dry-hop additions, producing an unmistakably juicy fruit character in modern hop-forward beers.
Specifications
- Hop variety: Nectaron® HORT4337
- Format: T90 hop pellets
- Origin: New Zealand
- Purpose: Aroma
- Alpha acids: Approximately 10–14%
- Beta acids: Approximately 4.5–5%
- Cohumulone: Approximately 26–28% of alpha acids
- Total oils: Approximately 1.6–1.9 mL per 100g
- Breeding: Triploid aroma variety developed with Plant & Food Research
- Related variety: Full sister to Waimea
- Primary characteristics: Tropical fruit, stone fruit and citrus
- Common flavour impressions: Pineapple, passionfruit, peach, nectarine and grapefruit
Recommended Beer Styles and Usage Rates
| Beer style | Aroma or whirlpool addition | Dry-hop addition |
|---|---|---|
| New Zealand Lager | 0.5–2 g/L | 1–2.5 g/L |
| New Zealand Pilsner | 1–2.5 g/L | 1.5–3.5 g/L |
| West Coast Pilsner | 1–2.5 g/L | 2–4 g/L |
| Session Pale Ale | 1–2.5 g/L | 2–4 g/L |
| New Zealand Pale Ale | 2–4 g/L | 3–6 g/L |
| American Pale Ale | 2–4 g/L | 3–6 g/L |
| New Zealand IPA | 2.5–5 g/L | 4–8 g/L |
| American IPA | 2.5–5 g/L | 4–8 g/L |
| Hazy IPA or NEIPA | 3–6 g/L | 6–12 g/L |
| Double IPA | 4–7 g/L | 8–15 g/L |
These quantities indicate the total hop amount used at each stage. Nectaron can make up the entire addition in a single-hop beer or approximately 25–50% of a hop blend. Adjust the rate to suit your recipe, brewing system and desired aroma intensity.
How to Use Nectaron Hops
Late Kettle Additions
Add Nectaron during the final 5–10 minutes of the boil to introduce tropical fruit, peach and citrus flavour while retaining some of its aromatic character.
Whirlpool
Whirlpool additions allow Nectaron’s pineapple, passionfruit, peach and grapefruit character to become more prominent. Using a lower whirlpool temperature can help retain its most delicate fruit aromas.
Dry Hopping
Nectaron is particularly effective as a dry hop. Add it after active fermentation has slowed for an intense tropical and stone-fruit aroma. Moderate additions produce a defined fruit character, while larger additions create the saturated aroma expected in modern hazy IPAs.
Hop Pairings
Nectaron works exceptionally well as a single hop and pairs particularly well with:
- Nelson Sauvin for white wine, gooseberry and tropical fruit
- Motueka for lime, lemon and mojito-like citrus
- Riwaka for grapefruit and passionfruit
- Citra for mango, lime and grapefruit
- Mosaic for berry, mango and tropical fruit
- Galaxy for passionfruit, peach and citrus
- Superdelic for red fruit, candy and citrus
- Simcoe for grapefruit, pine and resin
Possible Nectaron Hop Substitutes
No hop provides an exact replacement for Nectaron’s distinctive pineapple, passionfruit and ripe-peach character. Depending on the recipe, suitable alternatives may include Galaxy, Citra, Riwaka, Mosaic, El Dorado or Idaho 7.
For the closest overall result, consider combining a tropical hop such as Galaxy or Citra with a stone-fruit-forward variety such as El Dorado.
Storage
Store Nectaron hop pellets sealed, cold and protected from oxygen and light. After opening, remove as much air as possible, reseal the packet and return it to refrigerated or frozen storage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do Nectaron hops taste like?
Nectaron hops provide an intense combination of pineapple, passionfruit, peach, nectarine and grapefruit. Depending on the recipe and addition timing, they may also produce apricot, lime and other ripe tropical-fruit impressions.
Are Nectaron hops suitable for dry hopping?
Yes. Nectaron was developed primarily as an aroma hop and is particularly effective in dry-hop additions. Dry hopping helps maximise its pineapple, passionfruit, peach and citrus character.
Can Nectaron be used as a single hop?
Yes. Nectaron has enough complexity to be used by itself in a single-hop Pale Ale, IPA or hop-forward lager. It can provide distinct tropical fruit, stone fruit and citrus characteristics without requiring another aroma variety.
Can Nectaron hops be used for bittering?
Nectaron contains enough alpha acids to contribute bitterness, but its greatest value is its intense aroma. A more economical or neutral bittering hop can be used early in the boil while reserving Nectaron for late-kettle, whirlpool and dry-hop additions.
What beer styles suit Nectaron hops?
Nectaron is particularly well suited to New Zealand Pale Ale, New Zealand IPA, American Pale Ale, Hazy IPA, NEIPA, Double IPA, New Zealand Pilsner and modern hop-forward lager.
When should Nectaron hops be added?
For the strongest fruit character, use Nectaron during the final few minutes of the boil, in the whirlpool or as a dry hop. It can be used at multiple stages within the same recipe.
