Sabro a.k.a. HBC 438
The coconut hop.
What it tastes like
Sabro is famously polarizing — it brings clear coconut and tangerine notes that some drinkers love and others find soapy or 'tropical sunscreen.' Used carefully (often with Mosaic or Citra), it adds a unique tropical layer that no other hop matches.
Best in these styles
Tasting Tip
Sabro is best in small amounts as part of a blend — at high doses the coconut character can overwhelm the rest of the beer.Beers showcasing Sabro
Specific beer examples coming soon.
Substitutes & relatives
If you can't source Sabro, these hops bring overlapping character.
For brewers — technical profile
Alpha Acid
12–16%
Beta Acid
4–6%
Total Oil
2.5–3.5 mL/100g
Oil composition
myrcene
45-55%
humulene
15-20%
caryophyllene
6-8%
farnesene
<1%
History
A neomexicanus-American hybrid released by the Hop Breeding Company in 2018. The neomexicanus parentage is responsible for Sabro's coconut character.
Freshness Note
Coconut/tangerine character holds for 60+ days.