Saaz (Hop), widely considered among the world’s great hop varieties, is a “Noble” aroma hop from the Czech Republic. See noble hops. It was selected from a landrace that has grown in Central Europe since the Middle Ages. It was named after the town of Žatec (Saaz in German), some 60 km (40 mi) northwest of Prague. Internationally, the hop acquired its German name in the 19th century, when what is now the Czech Republic was part of the German-speaking Austro-Hungarian Empire. Sometimes referred to as Saazer or Bohemian Red Hop, Saaz matures early and has a low yield potential, but it possesses a uniquely pleasant aroma, which is why it is the major hop produced in the Czech Republic and much of it is exported to breweries around the world. Virus-free clones, called Osvald clones, of the original Saaz have been released in the Czech Republic in an effort to boost yield.

Saaz’s alpha acid content ranges from 3% to 5%, the beta acid content from 3% to 4%, and the cohumulone content is about 23%. The essential oils are divided between roughly 30% to 40% myrcene, 25% to 30% humulene, 8% caryophyllene, and about 14% farnesene. In terms of growth characteristics, soft resin content, oil composition, and aroma properties, Saaz is very similar to the German Tettnanger and Spalter, which are also often labeled “Noble” and which the hop trade often characterizes by the German terms “Saazer Formenkreis” (literally meaning circle of Saaz-type forms). Saaz is also very similar—some researchers even believe identical—to the Polish cultivar Lublin. See lublin (hop). Despite its low bittering power, brewers and beer drinkers the world over treasure the Saaz hop for its pleasant aroma and consider the unique marriage of Saaz, pale Bohemian or Moravian malt, and soft brewing water one of the classic beer taste sensations in the form of Bohemian pilsner. Anheuser-Busch, the largest American brewer, has grown significant acreage of Saaz at Bonners Ferry in northern Idaho at a latitude similar to that of Žatec. See idaho (northern hop region). The future of this operation, however, is in doubt after the merger of Anheuser-Busch with InBev to form ABInBev.