Vic Secret Hops – Australian T90 Pellets
Vic Secret™ is a bold Australian dual-purpose hop renowned for its powerful pineapple, pine and tropical-fruit character. Late-kettle, whirlpool and dry-hop additions can also produce passionfruit, citrus and fresh herbal notes.
Its character changes depending on when it is added. Earlier kettle additions contribute earthy, spicy flavours and effective bitterness, while later additions reveal the intense pineapple and pine aroma for which Vic Secret is best known.
Vic Secret can stand alone in a single-hop beer or add tropical fruit, pine and depth to modern hop blends. It is particularly well suited to Australian XPA, Hazy Pale Ale, IPA, West Coast IPA and hop-forward lager.
Specifications
- Hop variety: Vic Secret™ 00-207-013
- Format: T90 hop pellets
- Origin: Australia
- Purpose: Dual-purpose
- Alpha acids: Approximately 17.5–22%
- Beta acids: Approximately 6.3–7.8%
- Cohumulone: Approximately 51–56% of alpha acids
- Total oils: Approximately 2.1–3.2 mL per 100g
- Parentage: High-alpha Australian and Wye College hops
- Primary characteristics: Pineapple, pine, tropical fruit and herbs
- Common flavour impressions: Pineapple, passionfruit, citrus, fresh pine and earthy spice
Recommended Beer Styles and Usage Rates
| Beer style | Aroma or whirlpool addition | Dry-hop addition |
|---|---|---|
| Australian Lager | 0.5–1.5 g/L | 1–2.5 g/L |
| Hop-Forward Lager | 0.5–2 g/L | 1–3 g/L |
| Australian XPA | 1.5–3.5 g/L | 2.5–5 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 |
| American IPA | 2.5–5 g/L | 4–8 g/L |
| West Coast IPA | 3–5 g/L | 4–8 g/L |
| Hazy IPA or NEIPA | 3–6 g/L | 6–12 g/L |
| Double IPA | 4–7 g/L | 8–14 g/L |
| Black IPA | 2.5–5 g/L | 4–8 g/L |
| Porter or Stout | 1–2.5 g/L | 1.5–4 g/L |
The quantities above indicate the total hop amount used at each stage. Vic Secret can make up the entire addition in a single-hop beer or approximately 25–50% of a hop blend.
Vic Secret is a powerful, high-oil hop. Begin toward the lower end of the suggested range in lighter beers and increase the quantity to suit the desired aroma intensity.
How to Use Vic Secret Hops
Bittering
Vic Secret’s high alpha-acid content makes it an efficient bittering hop. Earlier boil additions can contribute firm bitterness with earthy and spicy undertones.
Calculate the required amount using the exact alpha-acid figure printed on the packet and the target bitterness of your recipe.
Late Kettle Additions
Add Vic Secret during the final 5–10 minutes of the boil to develop pineapple, pine, citrus and tropical-fruit flavour. Late additions provide considerably more fruit character than early-boil additions.
Whirlpool Additions
Vic Secret performs exceptionally well in the whirlpool, where its pineapple, passionfruit and fresh-pine characteristics become more prominent. Lower-temperature additions can help retain more of its volatile fruit aromas.
Dry Hopping
Dry hopping produces Vic Secret’s most intense pineapple, tropical-fruit and pine aroma. Moderate additions work well in lager, XPA and Pale Ale, while larger additions suit IPA, West Coast IPA and NEIPA.
Vic Secret can create a significant amount of hop material in suspension. Allow sufficient settling time and remove as much hop matter as possible before packaging for a cleaner finish.
Hop Pairings
Vic Secret works well by itself and pairs particularly well with:
- Galaxy for passionfruit, peach and citrus
- Citra for mango, lime and grapefruit
- Mosaic for berry, mango and tropical fruit
- Simcoe for grapefruit, pine and resin
- Centennial for lemon, grapefruit and floral notes
- Chinook for grapefruit, pine and spicy resin
- Motueka for lime, lemon and mojito-like citrus
- Nectaron for pineapple, passionfruit and ripe peach
- Eclipse for mandarin, citrus peel and fresh pine
- El Dorado for sweet stone fruit and tropical fruit
Possible Vic Secret Hop Substitutes
No hop provides an exact replacement for Vic Secret’s distinctive pineapple and pine combination. Depending on the recipe, suitable alternatives may include Galaxy, Chinook, Simcoe, Citra, Nectaron or Idaho 7.
For the closest overall result, consider combining a tropical hop such as Galaxy or Nectaron with a pine-forward variety such as Simcoe or Chinook.
Storage
Store Vic Secret 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 Vic Secret hops taste like?
Vic Secret hops are known for bold pineapple, tropical fruit and fresh-pine characteristics. They can also contribute passionfruit, citrus, herbs and earthy spice depending on when they are added.
Are Vic Secret hops suitable for dry hopping?
Yes. Vic Secret is particularly effective as a dry hop, where it produces its strongest pineapple, tropical-fruit and pine aroma.
Can Vic Secret be used as a single hop?
Yes. Vic Secret has sufficient alpha acids for bittering and enough flavour intensity for late-kettle, whirlpool and dry-hop additions. It works particularly well in single-hop XPA, Pale Ale and IPA.
Can Vic Secret hops be used for bittering?
Yes. Vic Secret’s high alpha-acid content makes it an efficient bittering hop. However, early additions produce more earthy and spicy character, while late and cold-side additions reveal more pineapple, passionfruit and pine.
What is the difference between Vic Secret and Galaxy?
Galaxy is best known for passionfruit, juicy peach and tangy citrus. Vic Secret generally presents a stronger combination of pineapple and pine, supported by tropical fruit, citrus and herbal notes.
What beer styles suit Vic Secret hops?
Vic Secret is particularly well suited to Australian XPA, Hazy Pale Ale, American Pale Ale, IPA, West Coast IPA, NEIPA, Black IPA and modern hop-forward lager.
When should Vic Secret hops be added?
Use Vic Secret early in the boil for bitterness and earthy spice, late in the boil for flavour, in the whirlpool for pineapple and pine or as a dry hop for its most intense tropical aroma.
