Nick Carr on October 18, 2020 0 Comments For a long time The Hop Research Institute in Hull Germany was not interested in unusual aroma characteristics in the hops they researched. In fact, up until about 2006 most hops that showed any off-the-norm aroma and flavor characteristics were discarded. Brewer’s just weren’t interested. But, in the latter half of the 2000s this all changed. In 2006, Anton Lutz, started a breeding program aimed more at flavor and aroma character. The year 2012 saw the first four hop varieties from this program released to the public. The varieties were Mandarina Bavaria, Hallertau Blanc, Huell Melon, and Polaris. Out of the four, Polaris had the highest alpha acid content. Also unlike the other three, which were all daughters of Cascade and Huell germplasm, Polaris came from an earlier cross, one performed by the Institute’s former breeder, Herbert Ehrmaier. Herbert Ehrmaier’s intent with this cross was to increase alpha acid content; something clearly evident in Polaris. The Polaris cross used Huell germplasm on both sides. It boosts Nugget and an undisclosed Japanese breeding line in its pedigree. So, with such a high alpha range why is it still considered one of Huell’s new Special Flavor Hops and not just a bittering variety? Because of its extremely high (4-5ml/100g) and unique oil content. Polaris has high levels of ocimene, a terpene responsible for a sweet, herbaceous, and earthy aroma with notes of citrus. It also may contain as much as 50% myrcene (herbaceous, resinous, balsamic), and up to 35% humulene (floral, herbal, spicy). The combination of these oils and others is what gives Polaris its very unique aromas and flavors of minty wintergreen and citrus fruit; and it’s this novel combination that has made Polaris more than just another bittering hop. The proof of Polaris’s ongoing and growing popularity can be seen in the ever increasing amount of land dedicated to growing it. Since its release in 2012, Polaris farming has quadrupled in size, going from 43 hectares (roughly 106 acres) in 2013 to 174 hectares (430 acres) in 2017. How To Brew With Polaris Hops If you plan on growing hops in your backyard, we would make a few recommendations to help you in your endeavors. Before you choose the variety you want to grow, it’s a good idea to talk to other local growers or possibly someone at your local homebrew supply store. They may be able to point you toward varieties that grow well in your area. The Polaris variety was protected under European Plant Variety Rights in 2014, so there is no chance for the home grower to get Polaris rhizomes or plants. However, be sure to check out our other hop profiles for some other planting possibilities. General Characteristics: Origin- Germany Year Released– 2012 Growth Rate– Info not Available Yield– 2,300 kg/ha Cones– Medium Maturity– Beginning of September Resistant to- Very Good resistance to Verticulum Wilt; Medium resistance to Powdery and Downy Mildew Susceptible to– Spider Mites and Hop Aphids Ease of Harvest– Info not Available Storage– Good Organic Status- Available Patented or Public– Protected Acid Composition Breakdown Note: Hop oil composition will vary between harvest years and where the hop was grown. The numbers below are meant to be an average only. Alpha Acid: 16.5 – 23.5% Beta Acid: 5 -6.5% Co-Humulone: 27% Oil Composition Breakdown Total Oils: 4 – 5 ml/100g Myrcene Oil (% of total): ≈50% Humulene Oil (% of total: 20 – 35% Caryophyllene Oil (% of total): 8 – 13% Franesene Oil (% of total): <1.0% B-Pinene Oil (% of total): Info not Available Linalool Oil (% of total): 0.1 – 0.4% Geraniol Oil (% of total): 0.1% Aroma & Sensory Description: Polaris is an interesting combination of fruity, citrusy and spicy notes, and it blows both Cascade and Hallertau Mittelfruh out of the water on all three of these characteristics. Most often it is noted as having a spicy fruit element of citrus and pineapple, along with floral whispers. It also has a unique “fresh” menthol, minty character; varyingly described as wintergreen, ice candy, winter mints, and ice wine. Bittering can be intense but usually remains clean. Availability: Polaris is pretty easy to find. I’m not sure if it is popular enough for your local homebrew shop to carry, but it’s available through several vendors online. As with many other imported hops it is almost impossible to find it in anything but pellet form. I also saw a couple places selling single hop Polaris homebrewing kits if you don’t want to worry about formulating a recipe. Use: Despite its high alpha content, Polaris is more often than not thought of as a dual purpose hop. If used only in the bittering department there seems to be pretty wide agreement that Polaris impart little flavor. It would appear to be an ideal hop for bittering. Used in a flavoring/aroma capacity will no doubt allow more of its fruity, citrus, and minty/spicy characteristics shine. All I’ve read indicates the minty character never comes through overly strong. Though a mint flavor may seem strange it sounds like it can work to bring depth and complexity to the whole. This mint would be especially fun to play with in a Stout, Porter, or other dark beer. Black IPA anyone? Can Substitute With/For These Hops: Due to its extremely high alpha acid content there isn’t a truly good substitute for Polaris. Herkules (maybe) Common Beer Styles Using Polaris Hops: American Porter Stouts Blondes IPAs Pale Ales Pilsners Dark Lagers Gose Saison Sours Belgian Ales Commercial Examples: To help you gain a better idea of this hop’s aroma and flavor I would recommend you sample as many of these as you can find. This research will deepen your understanding of how Polaris works in different beer styles and give you a better idea of how to use it in your own homebrewing. Uses Only Polaris: Polaris Pilsner from Tavern Hall Brewery (USA) Polaris Pilsner from Chainline Brewing Company (USA) Atlantic Blonde Ale from Smithwicks & Sons Brewing Company (Ireland) Mint Ale from Gorštak zanatska pivara – Highlander Craft Brewery – (Bosnia-Herzegovina) Elbe Gose from Kehrwieder Kreativbrauerei (Germany) Uses Polaris With Other Hop Varieties: BFD from Sierra Nevada Brewing Company (USA )- Also uses Simcoe and Comet Green Hopped IPA from Dark Star Brewing Company (England) – Also uses Simcoe, Fuggles, and green Bullion Scout’s Honour from Silversmith Brewing (Canada) – Also uses Perle
