In the world of lager brewing, hop selection plays a critical role in defining balance, aroma, and drinkability. While traditional noble hops like Hallertau, Tettnang, and Saaz have long dominated the category, a new wave of domestically-grown hop varieties are offering brewers exciting options to create nuanced, modern lager profiles without sacrificing the style’s clean drinkability. Among these, Contessa™, Lemondrop™, and Delta™ stand out as versatile and distinctive, while Tetra-Iso-Extract additions provide complementary foam stability, essential to the lager experience.

Contessa™: Noble Character, American Roots

Developed by Hopsteiner and grown in the Pacific Northwest, Contessa was bred with lager brewers in mind. It delivers the delicate, refined aromatics expected in noble-style hops but with an American-grown pedigree that provides supply chain stability and local terroir benefits. Contessa’s profile leans towards pear, green tea, and subtle floral notes. These characteristics make it ideal for traditional Helles, Pilsners, and Export lagers where subtlety is paramount.

Compared to European-grown noble hops, Contessa offers comparable low cohumulone levels and a soft bitterness, but with greater agronomic stability and less exposure to international shipping variables. This allows brewers to maintain consistency in their lagers while supporting domestic agriculture.

Green tea, floral, pear, lemongrass

Alpha Acid: 2.5 – 4.0%

Beta Acid: 5.0 – 7.4%

Total Oil: 0.8 – 1.9 ml/100g

Lemondrop™: Bright Citrus for Modern Lagers

Lemondrop, another standout from the Pacific Northwest, introduces a refreshing burst of lemon, light melon, and subtle herbal undertones. While originally developed for American-style ales, many craft brewers have discovered Lemondrop’s unique ability to add a crisp citrus lift to lager styles without overwhelming their delicate malt backbones.

In styles like American Pilsners, Summer Lagers, and India Pale Lagers (IPLs), Lemondrop can serve as a late kettle or whirlpool addition to bring vibrant, clean citrus notes that play exceptionally well with the neutral lager yeast profile. Its bright character complements warm-weather drinking occasions while still adhering to the crisp, clean expectations of lager drinkers.

Lemon, green tea, melon, floral, herbal

Alpha Acid: 4.0 – 7.0%

Beta Acid: 4.0 – 6.0%

Total Oil: 1.5 – 2.0 ml/100g

Delta™: A Subtle Workhorse with Gentle Complexity

Delta, a highly effective American-grown hop, offers a mild and pleasant balance of spicy, earthy, and light citrus notes. Delta is an excellent alternative for brewers seeking a soft and well-rounded hop character similar to noble varieties but with a distinctly American touch.

Delta excels as a bittering and aroma hop in styles like Amber Lagers, Dunkels, and even Pre-Prohibition Lagers where a slightly more robust hop presence enhances malt complexity without overpowering the beer. With its low alpha acid content and smooth bitterness, Delta ensures drinkability while providing just enough flavor to elevate classic lager profiles.

Earthy, ginger, citrusy, floral, herbal

Alpha Acid: 5.0 – 7.5%

Beta Acid: 5.5 – 7.0%

Total Oil: 0.5 – 1.1 ml/100g

Tetra: Precision Bitterness and Foam Stability

Tetra-Iso-Extract, commonly referred to as Tetra, is a hop extract that has become a staple in many lager breweries for both practical and sensory reasons. Derived from iso-alpha acids, Tetra offers several distinct benefits:

• Enhanced foam stability: Tetra improves head retention and lacing, key hallmarks of a well-crafted lager.
• Smooth bitterness: Tetra adds more rounded bitterness that complements the lager style.

By integrating Tetra, brewers can fine-tune the bitterness of their lagers with precision while also enhancing visual appeal and shelf stability, particularly for packaged products.

Local vs. Imported: The Strategic Advantage

Choosing domestically grown hops mean not waiting for long transportation times across the ocean. It also helps insulate breweries from international supply chain disruptions, fluctuating currency rates, and agricultural variability overseas.

Contessa, Lemondrop, and Delta varieties introduce subtle terroir differences that give domestic lagers a unique fingerprint. Many have adopted into their core lineups for their creative latitude to develop signature house flavors that distinguish their brands in a crowded marketplace.

As the lager category continues to expand beyond its historic roots, hops like Contessa™, Lemondrop™, and Delta™ represent the future of thoughtful, domestically-sourced innovation. Paired with the functional benefits of Tetra additions, today’s brewers can craft lagers that are not only true to style but also uniquely their own, offering drinkers both tradition and modernity in every glass. Shop hops and advanced hop products at shop.hopsteiner.com.