Polaris → Herkules
last-resort matchUse 1.41× the weight for the same bitterness
alpha acids 20.5% → 14.5% · 0% aroma match
- Loses
- Mint, Menthol, Pineapple
- Adds
- Citrus, Melon
GermanyPolaris substitutes
Proven alternatives to Polaris and hops with a similar aroma profile. Pick by availability, price or country of origin.
Direct substitutes
1How to swap it in a recipe
Bitterness scales with alpha acid times weight, so for bittering additions rescale the weight by the alpha ratio — the multiplier for each substitute is given below. For late, whirlpool and dry-hop additions dose 1:1 by weight and go by aroma instead, because alpha acids do not drive those.
Similar aroma profiles
5Idaho Gem
USADual purposeIPAAPAPils
Alpha acid11–14%
Beta acid5–7%
Total oil1.3–2.3 mL
PineappleCherryCandiedHerbal+7
Merkur
GermanyDual purposeIPAAPAPils
Alpha acid12–16.2%
Beta acid4.5–7.3%
Total oil2–3 mL
SugarPineappleMintCitrus+1
Pekko
USADual purposeIPAAPAPils
Alpha acid13–16%
Beta acid3.5–5%
Total oil1–3 mL
PleasantFloralCitrusMint+7
Harlequin
UKDual purposeIPAAPAPils
Alpha acid9–12%
Beta acid7–9%
Total oil1–1.6 mL
Passion fruitPeachPineapple
Sasquatch
CanadaDual purposeIPAAPAPils
Alpha acid6.6–9%
Beta acid8.2%
TangerineLemonFloralOrange+2
How to pick a substitute
Look for similar alpha acid content (within 2%) and overlapping aroma notes. The more shared notes, the safer the swap.