Get to Know Your Favorite Hop | Saaz

Discover the balanced sophistication of Saaz and how advancements in brewing technology are making this Old World hop new again. 

It’s been called the Rolls-Royce of hops, and for very good reason. This Old World variety survived occupation during World War II, its truest version only comes from the Czech Republic, and it has an exquisitely balanced, aristocratic aroma. We’re talking about the noble hop, Saaz.

Saaz, sometimes known as Bohemian Red, is a testament to the tireless efforts and artistry of Czech breeders and brewers. This premium hop is meticulously cultivated in only three regions of the Czech Republic where state authorities monitor and maintain its strict purity.¹ Just one sip of a Saaz-infused lager (Stella Artois, anyone?) and you’ll understand why it’s so highly valued.

Top Hop Production Director Monika Boublikova told Ollie that its sophistication comes from an ideal balance of hop resins, oils, and polyphenols combined with a low cohumulone content. “All of these factors blended together give beers that use this hop a more pleasant bitterness and, most importantly, an excellent drinkability that is absolutely unparalleled.”²

Want to brew an authentic Bohemian-style Pilsner? Need an elegant hop for beers with maximum drinkability? Read on and learn the origins, aromas, and flavors of Saaz.

Saaz Flavor and Aroma

Sure, Saaz has some bitterness (2-5% alpha acids and 3.5-5% beta acids), but using it exclusively as a bittering hop might not be the best for a few reasons. First, those bittering levels are on the low side, so you’ll go through a LOT of Saaz to achieve a moderate to high IBU. Second, as a premium hop it comes with a premium price, so brewers will want to use Saaz intentionally for cost-effectiveness.

The biggest reason? The subtle Saaz flavor and aroma is positively exquisite and should be given every opportunity to shine. Just don’t mistake our use of the descriptor “subtle” to mean “pale” or “weak.” Think of it as a surgical level of precision and grace. 

Every aromatic nuance is perfectly supported. From warm notes of wood and delicate florals, to its symphony of herbal sweetness, Saaz presents a high-end sip that adds luxurious flavors to classic pilsners, lagers, wheats, and Belgian-style ales. Brewers who want to craft a beer with the fullest expression of Saaz should consider adding it as a late boil addition or as a dry hop. 

While a single-hop beer allows Saaz to shine, its mildness can also be complemented by pairing it with other European varieties like Tettnanger or, if you’re feeling wild, its zesty triploid descendant Motueka™. Pairing it with punchy American varieties can be tricky, but not impossible. Carefully blending the earthy citrus of Cascade or the floral notes of Amarillo® could yield something truly mouthwatering.

Origins and Impact of Noble Hop Saaz

While there is a bit of marketing involved in the term, a “noble hop” is generally a classic European variety of exceptional quality with centuries-old terroir. These varieties have influenced and defined entire styles and regions of beer brewing. Saaz, without a doubt, falls into that category.

For hundreds of years, Saaz hops have been grown in the Czech Republic in the Northwestern Bohemian region. The father of modern Saaz hops, however, didn’t start his careful breeding efforts until the 1930s and 40s. 

This man, Dr. Karel Osvald, selectively bred Saaz and, supposedly, went to great lengths to protect plants during World War II. In what was previously occupied Czechoslovakia, some say he covertly hid plants to avoid theft or destruction by occupying Third Reich forces. 

What is known, however, is that the three original regional varieties of Czech hops wouldn’t exist without his efforts. “These varieties, later named as Osvald’s  clones, prevailed significantly within the hop growing areas and in Czech hop production in the second half of the 20th century.”¹

Top Hop explains that, after the war ended, “Dr. Karel Osvald contributed immensely to the success of Czech hop growing. It was him who established the first specialised research of hop varieties, which eventually gave birth to the world’s famous Saaz Fine Aroma hops, a variety that remains the most grown Czech hop variety to this day.”³

Today, you can find Saaz grown around the world, but there’s nothing quite like the unique terroir you’ll experience from that of Saaz grown in the Czech Republic. Saaz grown in the United States, for example, often has brighter citrus elements. 

Before you turn your nose up at Saaz grown outside of the Czech Republic, however, don’t forget that international cultivation efforts have given us some seriously groundbreaking varieties. New Zealand, for example, fully embraced Saaz and used it to breed today’s in-demand Motueka™  and Riwaka™ varieties. 

Saaz Beyond Beer

Whether you’ve long respected the sophisticated Saaz or if you’re a microbrewery that’s hesitant to brew with such a noble hop, we recommend you start experimenting ASAP. Its balanced flavors and aromas obviously lend themselves to beer, but we think this hop variety is going to completely light up the quickly evolving beverage market.

Hop waters, for example, create the perfect blank slate to let Saaz shine, pair with other hops, or unveil entirely new flavor fusions! Between new hop water consumers and the growing demand for NA beverages, the hop water category is primed for growth.

Don’t feel like you need to stay within the realm of beer and beer-adjacent beverages, though! Saaz could be an elegant addition to teas, functional beverages, and more. Plus, complementing its delicate florals and herbal sweetness with fruit flavors like delicate Guava or a juicy splash of Peach opens up new worlds of flavor possibilities.

The best part? Our SAZ Quantum Profile lets you brew with the true flavor and aroma of Saaz with significantly higher cost-effectiveness.

Our Quantum Series starts with hops… and only hops. Using whole Saaz hops and pellets, we perform the highest quality extractions in the industry, so you’re JUST getting vibrant flavors and aromas with no undesirable compounds. We’re not formulating these in the lab, we’re just squeezing every last drop of flavor and aroma out of the hops for the truest version of Saaz. 

That means our SAZ Quantum Profile is in limited supply. Whole hops and pellets are subject to harvest variabilities, which limits the quantity and availability of Quantum extracts. So, if you love a particular Quantum extract, act fast.

Once you get Quantum in your hands, however, you’ll say goodbye to several common brewing issues. Compared to whole hops, pellets, and even other hop extracts, our Quantum profiles have:

• No yield loss from absorption
• 100% utilization rate
• Logistical cost savings
• No need for carriers
• Reduced labor by an order of magnitude
• No “hop creep” 
• And MORE

If that wasn’t enough, you can even customize the flavor of Saaz. Want to pump up the pine or play with the floral notes? Do you want to add complexity to its herbal character? Differentiate your brand with exclusive flavors and aromas customers won’t get anywhere else.

Abstrax | Brew the True Flavor and Aroma of Saaz

We know we’re not the only ones craving the Rolls-Royce of hops! Ready to start brewing? Today, it’s easier than ever. 

Unlike traditional extracts, our Optimized Hop Extracts offer varietal-specific flavors and aromas with no alpha acids and no undesirable plant compounds to gunk up your tank. They have a 100% utilization rate, they don’t require carriers, they offer logistical cost savings, and there’s zero “hop creep.”

Contact us today, and let’s get you brewing with beautifully balanced flavors and aromas of Saaz.

1. UNESCO. (2021, January). Žatec and the Landscape of Saaz Hops. https://www.zatec-and-the-landscape-of-saaz-hops.com/resources/en/UNESCO_Zatec_2021_A4.pdf

2. Albanese, G. (2024, November 19). Czech Saaz: The Essential Hop Guide. Ollie. https://getollie.com/blog/czech-saaz-hop-guide

3. History of Hop Growing. TOP HOP. (2024, October 30). https://www.hop.cz/en/hops/history-of-hop-cultivation/