Peacharine Hops – T90 Pellets
Peacharine™ is an expressive New Zealand hop developed by Freestyle Hops and celebrated for its rich peach, nectarine and sweet-citrus character. Its bright stone-fruit profile is supported by lime zest, tropical fruit and delicate floral notes.
Peacharine performs exceptionally well in late-boil, whirlpool and dry-hop additions, where its ripe peach and nectarine aromas can take centre stage. It can create an impressive single-hop beer or blend with other New Zealand, tropical and citrus-forward varieties.
Its juicy but refreshing character makes Peacharine particularly well suited to Hazy Pale Ales, IPAs, West Coast Pilsners, hop-forward lagers and modern Saisons.
Specifications
- Hop variety: Peacharine™
- Format: T90 hop pellets
- Origin: New Zealand
- Grower and breeder: Freestyle Hops
- Purpose: Aroma and dual-purpose
- Alpha acids: Approximately 7.5–9.5%
- Beta acids: Approximately 5–7%
- Total oils: Approximately 1.3–2.1 mL per 100g
- Primary characteristics: Stone fruit, citrus, sweet fruit, tropical fruit and floral
- Common flavour impressions: Yellow peach, nectarine, sweet citrus and lime zest
Recommended Beer Styles and Usage Rates
| Beer style | Aroma or whirlpool addition | Dry-hop addition |
|---|---|---|
| Hop-forward Lager | 0.5–2 g/L | 1–3 g/L |
| New Zealand Pilsner | 1–2.5 g/L | 1.5–4 g/L |
| West Coast Pilsner | 1–2.5 g/L | 1.5–4 g/L |
| Session Pale Ale | 1–3 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 |
| Hazy Pale Ale | 2.5–5 g/L | 4–8 g/L |
| New Zealand IPA | 3–5.5 g/L | 4–9 g/L |
| Hazy IPA or NEIPA | 3–6 g/L | 6–12 g/L |
| Double IPA | 4–7 g/L | 8–15 g/L |
| Saison | 0.5–2.5 g/L | 1–4 g/L |
| Fruited Sour Beer | 1–3 g/L | 1.5–4 g/L |
The quantities above indicate the total hop amount used at each stage. Peacharine can make up the entire addition in a single-hop beer or approximately 25–60% of a hop blend. Adjust the rates to suit your recipe, brewing system and desired aroma intensity.
How to Use Peacharine Hops
Bittering
Peacharine’s moderate alpha-acid content allows it to be used for bittering additions. Calculate the required amount using the exact alpha-acid percentage printed on your packet and the target bitterness of your recipe.
However, because Peacharine is prized for its distinctive stone-fruit aroma, many brewers reserve most of it for late-boil, whirlpool and dry-hop additions.
Late Kettle and Whirlpool
Add Peacharine during the final 10 minutes of the boil or in the whirlpool for concentrated yellow-peach, nectarine, sweet-citrus and lime-zest character.
A lower-temperature whirlpool at approximately 75–85°C can help retain more of its delicate stone-fruit, sweet-fruit and floral aromas.
Dry Hopping
Dry hop after active fermentation has slowed for the strongest peach, nectarine, sweet-citrus and tropical-fruit aroma.
Moderate rates provide a bright and refreshing stone-fruit character. Larger additions create the saturated peach and nectarine aroma expected in modern Hazy Pale Ales and IPAs.
Hop Pairings
Peacharine works well by itself and combines particularly well with:
- Nelson Sauvin for white wine, gooseberry and tropical fruit
- Riwaka for grapefruit, passionfruit and citrus intensity
- Motueka for lime, lemon and tropical character
- Nectaron for peach, pineapple and passionfruit
- Citra for mango, lime and grapefruit
- Mosaic for berry, citrus and tropical-fruit complexity
- Krush for mango, guava, orange and mixed berries
- Strata for passionfruit, strawberry and dank notes
- Galaxy for passionfruit, peach and citrus
- New Zealand Cascade for grapefruit, floral and citrus character
Possible Peacharine Hop Substitutes
No hop provides an exact replacement for Peacharine’s combination of yellow peach, nectarine, sweet citrus and lime zest.
Depending on the recipe, suitable alternatives may include Nectaron, Rakau, Wai-iti, El Dorado or a blend of Motueka and Nectaron.
Always account for differences in alpha acids when substituting hops in a bittering addition.
Storage
Store Peacharine 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 Peacharine hops taste like?
Peacharine hops are known for rich yellow-peach and nectarine flavours supported by sweet citrus, lime zest, tropical fruit and delicate floral characteristics.
Where are Peacharine hops grown?
Peacharine is developed and grown by Freestyle Hops in New Zealand. It is part of Freestyle Hops’ advanced breeding program focused on expressive flavour and aroma performance in finished beer.
Are Peacharine hops suitable for bittering?
Yes. Peacharine has sufficient alpha acids for moderate bittering additions. However, most brewers favour late-boil, whirlpool and dry-hop additions to maximise its distinctive peach and nectarine aroma.
Can Peacharine be used as a single hop?
Yes. Peacharine is an excellent single-hop variety for Pale Ales, IPAs and hop-forward lagers. A single-hop beer allows its peach, nectarine, citrus and lime-zest characteristics to stand out clearly.
What beer styles suit Peacharine hops?
Peacharine is particularly well suited to New Zealand Pale Ale, New Zealand IPA, Hazy Pale Ale, Hazy IPA, West Coast Pilsner and hop-forward lager. Smaller additions can also complement Saisons, wheat beers and modern sour styles.
When should Peacharine hops be added?
Use Peacharine early in the boil for bitterness, late in the boil for flavour, in the whirlpool for concentrated stone-fruit character or as a dry hop for its strongest peach and nectarine aroma.
Is Peacharine suitable for hazy IPA?
Yes. Peacharine’s juicy peach, nectarine and sweet-citrus profile works exceptionally well in Hazy IPA. It can be used alone or paired with Nectaron, Citra, Nelson Sauvin, Riwaka or Motueka.
What is the difference between Peacharine and Nectaron?
Both are fruit-forward New Zealand hops with strong stone-fruit character. Peacharine focuses more distinctly on yellow peach, nectarine, sweet citrus and lime zest, while Nectaron commonly delivers peach alongside pineapple and passionfruit.
