StirlingvsTaiheke

Stirling and Taiheke are popular dual purpose hops. Below you'll find a comparison of alpha and beta acids, aroma profiles and oil composition.

Stirling

Dual purpose

Alpha acid

6–12%

Beta acid

4–6%

Total oil

1.3–1.9 mL

United States

Taiheke

Dual purpose

Alpha acid

5–9%

Beta acid

5–5.5%

Total oil

1–1.5 mL

New Zealand

Key differences

When to pick Stirling

  • Higher alpha acid - stronger bittering
  • More essential oils - more intense aroma

When to pick Taiheke

  • More myrcene - pronounced citrus and resinous notes
  • Richer, more complex aroma profile

Aroma profile and use

Shared aromas

SpicyFloral

Only in Stirling

HerbalCitus

Only in Taiheke

CitrusTropicalGrapefruitLemonLime

Property

PropertyStirlingTaiheke
Alpha acid6–12%5–9%
Beta acid4–6%5–5.5%
Co-humulone21–28%33–40%
Total oil1.3–1.9 mL1–1.5 mL
Myrcene44–48%50–60%
Humulene19–23%10–20%
Caryophyllene5–7%5–10%
Farnesene11–17%0–5%
OriginUnited StatesNew Zealand
PurposeDual purposeDual purpose