Hop Pellets Hallertau

Hallertau, the classic German noble hop from the Hallertau region (typically Hallertau Mittelfrueh), is the benchmark aroma hop for continental lagers. It is a low-alpha pellet with a delicate floral, herbal and mildly spicy character, made for clean beers where subtlety matters.

Best suited to

• German lager and helles
• Pilsner
• Bohemian and continental lagers
• Wheat beer and hefeweizen
• Kolsch and altbier

Typical specs (vary by harvest, check the pack)

• Variety / origin: Hallertau (Mittelfrueh), Germany
• Form: T-90 pellets
• Purpose: Aroma (noble)
• Alpha acid: typically 3-5.5%
• Beta acid: typically 3-5%
• Co-humulone: typically 18-28% of alpha
• Total oil: typically 0.6-1.0 mL/100g
• Character: floral, herbal, mild spice

When to choose this over alternatives

Choose Hallertau when you want soft, refined noble character in a German lager or wheat beer. It is floral and gently herbal, a little rounder and less peppery than Czech Saaz, and more delicate than a modern high-alpha hop. If a continental lager recipe just says noble hops, Hallertau is the most traditional German pick. For more bittering in a lager, use a clean high-alpha hop like Magnum for the bittering charge and keep Hallertau for flavour and aroma.

Practical notes

Because the alpha is low, you need more Hallertau to reach a given bitterness, so do not be surprised by larger weights in a lager recipe. It is happiest in mid-to-late boil and flameout additions where the delicate aroma survives, and traditional lagers use several additions across the boil. Store cold and sealed; low-alpha hops fade faster, so use it fresh for the best aroma.

Reviewed by the AHB Brewing Team - June 2026