SAB PIH Blend – 50g T90 (ZA)

SAB PIH Blend

The PIH (Pale India Hop) Blend was developed to offer brewers a consistent and versatile foundation that leverages the unique strengths of South Africa’s most reliable cultivars. By combining the high-alpha, berry-and-pine intensity of Southern Star with the clean, woody bitterness of Southern Promise and the bright citrus lift of Southern Dawn, SAB created a “three-in-one” solution. The resulting profile is exceptionally well-rounded: it opens with bright citrus and tangerine notes, moves into a resinous pine and forest floor middle, and finishes with a subtle redcurrant and berry sweetness. Because it is standardized for consistency, it is the workhorse blend for many of South Africa’s most iconic commercial lagers and craft pale ales.

Key Benefits

1. The “Golden Ratio”: Pre-blended at a 70/20/10 ratio to ensure a perfect balance between high-alpha bittering and complex aroma.
2. Exceptional Efficiency: With alpha acids reaching up to 13%, it provides a cost-effective way to achieve clean, firm bitterness.
3. Broad Spectrum Aromatics: Combines three distinct terpene profiles, covering citrus, pine, and berry notes in a single addition.
4. Simplified Brewing: Reduces the need for managing multiple hop inventories while providing a “finished” New World character.

Applications

1. Brewing: The foundational blend for South African Lagers, West Coast IPAs, English-style Bitters, and Modern Pale Ales.
2. Distilling: A complex botanical base for hop-forward gins that require a sturdy resinous and citrus backbone.
3. Cider Making: Provides a reliable structural bitterness that grounds the natural sweetness of apple and berry-infused ciders.
4. Winemaking: Suitable for botanical infusions in vermouths or bitters where a balanced, multi-layered herbal and fruity profile is desired.

Typical Usage

1. First Wort / Early Boil: Excellent for establishing a clean, high-quality IBU foundation that won’t turn harsh.
2. Aroma / Whirlpool: Traditionally added during the final 15 minutes or in the whirlpool to capture the berry and citrus oils.
3. Dry Hopping: 4–8g per litre. Adds a sophisticated, “forest fruit” and pine depth that integrates seamlessly into malt-forward styles.

Technical Data

1. Alpha Acids: 11.0% – 13.0% (Standardized)
2. Beta Acids: 4.0% – 6.0%
3. Total Oil: 1.2 – 1.6 ml/100g
4. Composition: Southern Star (70%), Southern Promise (20%), Southern Dawn (10%)
5. Co-Humulone: 20% – 25% of alpha acids (Low/Clean)
6. Myrcene: 35% – 45% of total oil

Summary

The “standard of the South”; the SAB PIH Blend provides a reliable, high-impact profile of citrus, pine, and berries, serving as the essential, all-in-one toolkit for professional and craft brewing.