Sussex was a ‘chance find’ in a hedgerow and Peter Cyster cultivated it and propagated it because it looked very promising. It is an aroma hop, with low alpha, typically showing some 4%. It is wilt tolerant, giving a reading of 65, and is reasonably tolerant of downy and powdery mildew. It is a very easy hop to grow, very vigorous, easy to propagate and a good climber.

Brewing trials locally yield a delicate flavour, not unlike Fuggle, with good flavour retention and it is probably best suited to a light ale.

A oil analysis was carried out on 18th December 2006 by Dr Peter Darby, the Research Director at Wye Hops Limited, which showed that it was unlike any known variety and was therefore likely to be the result of open pollination in the wild.

It has been grown continuously since 2005 at Gate Court, Northiam on 10 and 12 foot wirework and yields are consistently good.

BREEDING

Found in 2005 as a chance seedling in a hedge adjacent to a field of ‘Pilot’ growing at Gate Court, Northiam, Sussex, a farm belonging to the Cyster family since 1919. It is a vigorous hedgerow or dwarf-habit variety, selected for its strong resistance to downy mildew. Powdery mildew and pests are also easily controlled. In wilt-resistance tests, it has been found to be moderately resistant, similar to ‘Progress’ or ‘WGV’.

FLAVOUR AND AROMA

Sussex aromas include earthy, grassy, minty flavour notes.

CHARACTERISTICS

Earthy, grassy, minty.

BITTERING CHARACTERISTICS

Its bittering characteristics can be best described as a well rounded classic bittering hop.

FLAVOUR INTENSITY

6 /10

TYPICAL ANALYSIS

• Alpha acid 4.3-5.8%
• Beta acid 2.4-3.2%
• Co-Humulone 29-32%
• Total Oils 0.4-0.6%
• Myrcene 42%
• Humulene 23%
• Farnesene trace

We contract and source our hops from the finest merchants and farms around the world, ensuring you get the chance to brew with the same high quality product that professional breweries use.

Using mylar bags which prevent light degradation of the hops, flushing the bags with nitrogen to remove oxygen and cold storage of them until ordered by you, ensures the hops are as fresh as possible.

If you want to learn more about hops and how to use them then check out our Help Centre where you will find blog posts and our Brew With Us ESSENTIALS and we also have some great content on our YouTube channel about hops too.