Strisselspalt
Delicate floral and herbal character with mild spicy and citrus notes — refined, soft, and classic noble-style aroma.
Where It Lives
- Floral & Herbal (primary)
- Spicy & Earthy (secondary)
Storytime
Strisselspalt is a traditional landrace hop from the Alsace region of France, grown near Strasbourg for well over a century. The name roughly translates to “bouquet quality,” and it has long been considered one of France’s finest aroma hops. It shares some heritage and character with German noble hops like Hersbrucker, delivering a gentle, elegant profile rather than intensity. Brewers value it for its soft floral, herbal, and lightly spicy notes with subtle citrus (think lemon, bergamot, and lemongrass). It’s a classic choice for continental lagers, pilsners, wheat beers, and French or Belgian styles where subtlety matters more than punch.
Key Specs
- Alpha Acids: 1.8 - 2.5%
- Total Oil: .6 - .8 mL/100g
- Origin: France
- Form: Pellet
- Common Substitutions: Hersbrucker, Crystal, Mount Hood (in some recipes)
- More tech specs here
Practical Use
Strisselspalt is used almost exclusively for aroma. It shines in late boil, whirlpool, and dry hopping, where it contributes a soft floral-herbal character without dominating the beer. Because the alpha and oil content are low, it stays delicate even at higher rates. Most brewers find 1–3 oz total in 5 gallons works well for a noticeable but refined hop presence. Going much heavier usually just softens the overall profile rather than creating intensity.
Brew day tip
It pairs especially well with other noble or continental hops (Hallertau, Saaz, Spalt) when you want a clean, traditional aroma. It also works nicely in Belgian-inspired beers or light lagers where you want hop character that stays in the background and lets malt or yeast shine.