Saazer

Saazer is a term with several related meanings connected to the town of Žatec in the Czech Republic and its historic German name Saaz. In English and German usage, a person from Saaz can be described as a Saazer. The spelling Saazer is less common than Saaz, but may appear in some texts, and the term can also reference things associated with the town, including the hop variety named after Saaz.

Saazer hops, more commonly called Saaz hops, are one of the world’s most famous noble hop varieties. They originate from the Žatec region and were selected for cool climates and well-drained soils. Saazer hops are prized for their mild bitterness and a delicate, earthy-spicy aroma with herbal notes. They typically have low to moderate alpha acids, producing subtle bitterness rather than strong bitterness. These characteristics make them a staple for pilsners and other pale lagers, as well as some traditional wheat beers. The name Saaz reflects the hops’ geographic origin and long-standing association with Central European brewing.

Žatec is a town located in the Louny District within the Ústí nad Labem Region of the Czech Republic. It sits in a historic hop-growing area widely regarded as one of the world’s premier hop production regions. The Saazer (Saaz) hop has been cultivated there for centuries, and its name has become closely linked with the region’s brewing heritage.

Today, Saazer/Saaz hops are grown in the Czech Republic and other regions with suitable climates. In brewing, the term Saazer remains associated with the hop’s distinctive mild aroma and nuanced bitterness, often described as contributing a classic pilsner character.