Spalter Select (Hop) is a German aroma hop variety that was bred at the Hop Research Institute in Hüll in the Hallertau in Bavaria. See hallertau hop region. It was released in 1991 and registered for commercial cultivation in 1993. In the hop trade, it is often referred to as simply “Select.” This variety has a rather complicated genetic makeup, but it is largely derived from Hallertauer Mittelfrueh and Spalt. See hallertauer mittelfrueh (hop) and spalt (hop). The Spalt region of Germany grows a bit more Select than it does the eponymous Spalter-Spalt, but far more Select is grown in the Hallertauer region than in Spalt. Select tends to grow to the top of the trellis without much undergrowth, and it forms a thick clump at the top. This makes it hard to pick with the smaller German picking machines. Some growers have tried the Alsatian practice of stringing the plants at a 30° angle from vertical to lengthen the climb to the top, thus producing less top growth and more undergrowth. See french hops. This reduces picking difficulties and may increase yields. The plant itself tends to turn its lower leaves yellow late in the summer as if it were suffering from a disease or a nutrient shortage, but this is normal and does not seem to impact yields. The dried cones have a duller appearance than most hops and they also have a characteristic yellowish hue. The cone size is often smaller than that of other varieties, and the dried cones tend to shatter more readily.

The aroma of Spalter Select is easy to distinguish from either Hallertauer Mittelfrueh or Spalter-Spalt. It has some background spicy and herbal notes that are similar to these hops, but it also has a characteristic heavy, sweet, almost candy-like aroma that makes it instantly recognizable. Select typically yields 1,900 kg/ha (1,695 lb/ac) and has 3% to 6.5% alpha acids, 2.5% to 5% beta acids, 21% to 27% cohumulone, and 0.6% to 0.9% essential oils. Select has very good resistance to wilt and good resistance to downy mildew, but only fair resistance to powdery mildew. It stores relatively well and is harvested mid- to late season.