Southern Cross is a New Zealand hop with a distinctive aromatic profile. It provides intense citrus notes of lime and lemon peel, accompanied by resinous, spicy and slightly herbal nuances. In dry hopping, it stands out for its complexity, with a refreshing character and a background that can recall soft pine and sweet spices.
It is used both for its aromatic power and for its ability to provide clean bitterness. In early additions it provides a rounded bitter base without astringency, while in late additions or dry hop it is ideal for beers seeking a balance between citrus, tropical notes and an earthy touch.
Southern Cross™ was developed in New Zealand in the 1990s by HortResearch, from a cross between Smoothcone and an experimental line derived from Fuggle and Californian hops. Since then, it has become a versatile and reliable variety, especially in styles such as IPAs, Pale Ales, modern Lagers and experimental beers.
Thanks to its balance and character, it combines very well with other fruit-profile hops such as Motueka, Nelson Sauvin, Citra or Galaxy, providing structure without obscuring the main aromas.
