Rakau Hops - New Zealand Grown T-90 Pellets
| Hops Name: | Rakau |
|---|---|
| Country of Origin: | New Zealand |
| Hops Purpose: | Dual Purpose |
| Alpha Acidity: | A/A: 8.9% |
| Aroma & Flavor: | Passion Fruit, Peach, Apricot |
Rakau Hops for Stone Fruit, Tropical Layers, and Expressive New Zealand Character
Rakau is a New Zealand grown hop offered here in standard T-90 pellet form and widely appreciated for its orchard-like fruit profile. Brewers often reach for Rakau when they want a hop that can bring generous stone fruit character while still feeling clean enough to work across both modern hop-forward beers and more restrained styles. The live flavor and aroma profile also includes Passion Fruit.
That balance is part of what makes Rakau so useful. It can push fruit-forward aroma in pale ale and IPA, but it also fits comfortably into lager, wheat beer, and Belgian-inspired recipes where a softer fruit expression is more desirable than aggressive resin or dankness.
Flavor and Brewing Character
Rakau is known for apricot, peach, pear, and tropical fruit character, often supported by light citrus and a subtle resinous edge. It tends to feel rounded and juicy rather than sharp, which gives brewers a way to build expressive hop character without relying only on grapefruit-heavy American varieties.
In the brewhouse, Rakau works well for late-boil additions, whirlpool use, and dry hopping, while still offering solid bittering potential when needed. It fits naturally in IPA, pale ale, lager, wheat beer, and Belgian-inspired styles where layered fruit character can add depth without overwhelming the beer.
Why Brewers Choose Rakau
Brewers often choose Rakau because it offers a broad fruit profile that feels distinctly New Zealand without being one-note. It is a strong option when the goal is to build a beer with expressive orchard and tropical character, but still keep the final result polished and versatile.
Hop Specifications
- Origin: New Zealand
- Hop form: T-90 Pellets
- Alpha acid: 9.0% - 12.0%
- Beta acid: 5.0% - 6.0%
- Total oils: 1.8 - 2.2 mL/100g
- Typical beer styles: IPA, pale ale, lager, wheat beer, and Belgian-inspired ales
Packaging and Storage
Available in 1 oz and 1 lb sizes unless otherwise noted. Store cold after opening and keep oxygen exposure low to help preserve hop oils, aroma character, and brewing performance.