Saaz Special – another hop variety recommended for Czech beer

The specification of varietal profiles of secondary metabolites of hops in beer is of considerable importance for hop growing and beer brewing. In three-year pilot (200 l) brews of Czech pale lager, the chemical and sensory profiles of beers hopped with the Saaz Special variety or the traditional Saaz semi-early red bine hops (Saaz) variety were compared. Single kettle hopped beers and single kettle + dry hopped beers were prepared. The overall sensory impression of the Saaz Special beers was comparable to Saaz hops, the profile of essential oils and hop aromas/flavors in beer was partially different, but the hop aroma was not rated worse than Saaz. Saaz Special dry hopped beers were clearly distinguished from Saaz in triangle tests, but without the preference of one of the varieties. Based on the achieved results, the Saaz Special variety was included in the list of varieties recommended for the production of beer with the Protected Geographical Indication Czech beer.