Hop
Spalt
A traditional German noble hop from the Spalt region, delicate and distinctly spicy with a woody edge.
Also known as Spalter.
Aroma and flavour
Descriptors are impressions rather than analytical results. BeerHQ rates this characterisation as well established.
Belongs to
Analysis
| Alpha acid | 3–6% |
|---|---|
| Cohumulone | 22–29% |
| Purpose | aroma |
| Origin | Germany |
| Storage stability | moderate |
How it is used
- Late boil. Added in the last few minutes, retaining more aromatic oils while adding modest bitterness.
- Traditional late lager hopping. Continental practice of late kettle additions of noble varieties for a fine, spicy-floral character.
If you like Spalt
Hops with comparable character. Similarity and substitutability are different questions, so each entry says which it is: a hop can smell alike and still change the beer if its alpha acid is far off.
Saaz 2–5% alpha · editorial
Comparable noble spice at a similar low alpha acid, so it swaps cleanly by weight. Spalt is a shade earthier and less floral than Saaz.
Not the same: brings floral that Spalt does not.
Close enough in both aroma and alpha acid to swap in a recipe.
Tettnanger 4–6% alpha · editorial
Very close in character and origin.
Not the same: brings floral that Spalt does not; lacks the earth and wood of Spalt.
Close enough in both aroma and alpha acid to swap in a recipe.
Hallertauer Mittelfrüh 3–6% alpha
Shares noble spice, herbal with Spalt; an aroma variety at a comparable alpha acid.
Not the same: brings floral that Spalt does not; lacks the earth and wood of Spalt.
Close enough in both aroma and alpha acid to swap in a recipe.
Hersbrucker 2–5% alpha
Shares noble spice, herbal with Spalt; an aroma variety at a comparable alpha acid.
Not the same: brings floral that Spalt does not; lacks the earth and wood of Spalt.
Close enough in both aroma and alpha acid to swap in a recipe.
Liberty 3–6% alpha
Shares noble spice, herbal with Spalt; an aroma variety at a comparable alpha acid.
Not the same: brings floral that Spalt does not; lacks the earth and wood of Spalt.
Close enough in both aroma and alpha acid to swap in a recipe.
Straight substitutes
Close enough in both character and alpha acid to swap at a similar weight. Substitution is directional and imperfect — these are the nearest available options, not equivalents.
- Saaz — Comparable noble spice at a similar low alpha acid, so it swaps cleanly by weight. Spalt is a shade earthier and less floral than Saaz.
- Tettnanger — Very close in character and origin.
- Hallertauer Mittelfrüh — Shares noble spice, herbal with Spalt; an aroma variety at a comparable alpha acid.
- Hersbrucker — Shares noble spice, herbal with Spalt; an aroma variety at a comparable alpha acid.
Used in
- German Pils
Pale, dry and firmly bitter, with a crisp finish and a spicy-floral noble hop character — Germany’s answer to the Bohemian original.
- Kellerbier
Unfiltered, gently carbonated lager served young from the cellar, with a soft yeasty fullness filtration removes.
- Altbier
Düsseldorf’s copper-coloured hybrid: ale-fermented and cold-conditioned, with firm bitterness over nutty, toasty malt.