Grape Expectations: Nelson Sauvin

Nelson Sauvin was developed by New Zealand’s Institute of Plant & Food Research before its release in 2000. Since then, it’s carved out a reputation as one of the most expressive and flavour-forward hops available to brewers.

Packed with aromatic oils and rich in thiols, it's especially well-suited to dry-hopping and whirlpool additions, where those bold aromas can really come alive. From hazy IPAs to crisp pilsners, it has something to offer almost every style of beer. When used in moderation, it adds nuance and complexity. Go big, and you’re in for a sensory deep dive: dry, tangy, tropical and truly memorable.

Image source: Loughran Brewer's Select

Nelson doesn’t just bring flavour, it brings structure. It can be the star of the show, but it also plays well in blended hop bills. We love pairing it with southern hemisphere friends like Motueka or Riwaka, or using it to add character to citrus-led American hops like Mosaic or Citra.

It’s not every day a hop offers both intensity and subtlety, but Nelson Sauvin manages to do just that. If you’re drinking a beer that doesn’t taste like anything else, Nelson just might be the secret. That’s just one of the reasons we featured it in our ‘Guess The Hop’ series in 2024, where it was the most successfully guessed entry of the set.

Whether you’re a Nelson Sauvin superfan, think you could be persuaded, or you’re ready to find out what all the fuss is about, it’s an excellent time for Nelson-forward beers.

Our ‘Suspended in…’ Series has been producing hazy, flavoursome, single-hop crushable pale ales now for an incredible 8 years! The concept hasn’t varied since batch one, and although it’s often been imitated, we still find it needing a regular slot in the schedule. Usually reserved as a pub-only beer, occasionally we do bring through some cans (one of the few upsides of the pandemic?), and this one is a banger.

Fresh out of the cold store is Sold My Soul For Nelson, the latest in our more punchy single-hop showcase series. It’s Nelson firmly in the limelight, featured in four different forms for the ultimate expression of flavour: T90®, Super Sauvin®, Cryo® and Hop Kief®.* The result is a full-on celebration of what makes this hop so special: juicy, aromatic and unmistakably Nelson.

For something a little different, Nelson Sauvin Hopwater is also available. It strips things back, offering the pure essence of the hop without the influence of malt, yeast or alcohol. It’s a clean, crisp way to experience the flavour on its own terms. We find this really useful in the brewery for exploring flavour profiles, but it’s a bonus that it’s also incredibly refreshing.

Whether you’re enjoying it in a bold IPA or sipping it straight from a Hopwater can, Nelson Sauvin never fades into the background. Stay tuned for an even deeper dive into this standout hop.

*All this jargon and more is explained here: Advanced Hop Products