FLAVOUR:
Wakatu's nicely balanced oil profile gives it an understated floral aroma on top of pungent fresh lime. Considered largely dual-use, it can be added at any stage of the boil or whirlpool and dry hopped with success. It has also been noted for its impressive flavor stability.

Wakatu is a dual-purpose hop. It can be used in Single Malt and Single Hop (also known as SMaSH) beer recipes with excellent results. Wakatu has a alpha rating generally in the range of 6%-9%. Wakatu hops have a distinct presence of myrcene measured to be at 35.5% or even up to 59%. This contributes subtle flavours akin those of citrus fruit, notably the lime and a slightly dank floral flavour inherited from its mother Hallertauer Mittelfrüher. It is generally used as a lager hop and is the closest flavour to Hallertauer Mittelfrüher that we have encountered.

HISTORY:
Wakatu is a New Zealand triploid hop with a lot going for it. 2/3 Hallertauer Mittelfrüher and 1/3 New Zealand male, it was released in 1988 from the New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research’s hop breeding program.

Shortly after release Wakatu came to the attention of a large US brewery who bought the entire NZ production for many years until the brewery changed ownership. Therefore Wakatu was largely unknown in NZ until recently.

In our estimation it has Hallertau Mittelfrüher's flavour in abundance and is best used as a bittering hop at the start of the boil with a small amount added at the 30 minute mark to give a very close approximation of the mother. 

GROWTH/YIELD:
Very high growth rate with a high yield & maturing early in the harvest season.

BEER STYLES:
• PALE ALE & IPA • PILSNER • LAGER