Tettnang Tettnanger
Alpha-Acid (%)
2.5 - 5.5
Description
Tettnanger is a hop variety derived from an old landrace variety. True Tettnang Tettnanger is only grown in a tiny area around the town of Tettnang, Germany. In spite of its small area of land, Tettnang still produces large quantities of hops.
The Tettnanger variety has a mild Noble Hop character with low bitterness. They are very similar to, if not identical with, the Czech landrace variety Saaz. Tettnanger and Saaz have a very similar essential oil profile and similar concentrations of both alpha-acids and beta-acids. Tettnanger has notably high farnesene content. Tettnanger is probably also closely related to the varieties Spalt and Hallertau. These hops are all an excellent choice for late additions to many continental European beer styles.
Tettnanger are commonly described as having a floral and distinctive spicy aroma. They have an intensely hoppy flavor but still maintain an overall harmonious and balanced character. Many of the various hop aromas are found in Tettnanger in restrained measure. Tettnanger can impart fruity or citrusy aromas, but these are mild and do not resemble the intense grapefruit aroma found in some American hops. They are also sometimes described as imparting herbal and earthy qualities.
Possible Substitutes
Saaz and Spalt are both quite similar to Tettnanger. Saaz, Spalt, and Tettnanger are all Noble Hops. These hops have high concentrations of the distinctive essential oil Farnesene – found only in trace amounts in most hop varieties. Hallertau could be substituted for Tettnanger in some cases, but Hallertau is much lower in Farnesene content. Consequently, it will have a slightly different character from the others.
Santiam is a relatively new hop variety descended from Tettnanger and Hallertau. It may have some similar characteristics to Tettnanger.
Beer Styles
Tettnanger is a wonderful hop for Pilsners and other lagers. It can be used in wheat ales such as German weizens and Belgian wits. The high beta-acid content of Tettnanger makes it a good candidate for hop aging as used in lambics. Tettnanger will work well in most German styles like Kölsch, altbier, and Munich helles.
Chemical Composition
| Alpha Acids: | 2.5 - 5.5 | % |
| Beta Acids: | 3.0 - 5.0 | % |
| Alpha:Beta Ratio: | 1.1 | |
| Cohumulone: | 22 - 28 | (% alpha-acids) |
| Essential Oils: | 0.5 - 0.9 | (mL/100g) |
| Myrcene: | 20 - 35 | (% essential oils) |
| Caryophyllene: | 6 - 11 | (% essential oils) |
| Humulene: | 22 - 32 | (% essential oils) |
| Farnesene: | 16 - 24 | (% essential oils) |
All chemical composition values from [2].
Origin and Genetics
Hops were first planted in the region around the town of Tettnang, Germany in 1844. The Tettnanger variety is derived from an old landrace variety. The specifics of this domestication process do not seem to be well documented. Tettnanger and Hallertau hops are cultivated on much of the acreage near Tettnang.
Due to its similarity with both Saaz and Spalter, Tettnanger is considered a Saazer-form hop or a member of the Saaz group. These names seem to arbitrarily preference Saaz over the other members of the group. Perhaps Saaz is the most widely known of these varieties. Based on genetic analysis and agricultural performance these three hops are essentially identical. Hallertau, the fourth Noble Hop, is closely related but slightly more distinct from the others.
Tettnang is a very small town in south-central Germany in the state Baden-Württemberg. It is near the border with the German state of Bavaria and the German-Swiss border. Some Tettnanger hops are also grown in Switzerland just across border the border from Tettnang on the opposite shore of Lake Constance (Konstanz). These hops are often designated Swiss Tettnanger.
In the past some hops grown in the US were labeled as US Tettnanger or Swiss Tettnanger because it was believed they were derived from Swiss-grown Tettnanger. However these hops were later revealed to be a mislabeled Fuggle derivative.
References
- Tettnanger Hopfen. n.d. Web. 31 January 2014. ‹http://www.tettnanger-hopfen.de/›.
- "The Spirit of Beer: Hops from Germany." German Hop Growers Association. n.d. Web. 31 December 2013. ‹http://www.deutscher-hopfen.de›.
- "Santiam, US Tettnanger, Fuggles: Will the Real Tettnanger Please Stand Up?" In Hop Pursuit Blog. 9 February 2010. Web. 31 December 2013. ‹http://inhoppursuit.blogspot.com›.
- "USDA Named Hop Variety Descriptions." Freshops.com. n.d. Web. 31 December 2013. ‹http://www.freshops.com/hops/usda-named-hop-variety-descriptions›.
- "Hop Varieties." Hop Union LLC. n.d. Web. 31 December 2013. ‹http://hopunion.com/hop-varieties›.