From Vol. 3, No. 10, March 2019
Heritage: Barbe Rouge is one of several varieties from the breeding program Peter Darby directs for French hop growers in Alsace. She is the daughter of a cross made between the Alsatian landrace variety Strisselspalt and male 38/77/14. Both maternal grandparents of 38/77/14 can be traced back within three generations to wild North American materials imported by E.S. Salmon early in the 19th century. Thus, plenty of European and American genetic material in her background.
The basics: Alpha 3.8-6.8%, beta 3.3-4.5%, total oil 1.1-1.6 ml/100g, cohumulone 24-28%.
Aroma qualities: Strawberry, raspberry, black currant, orange, lime, grapefruit.
Recent research: Scientists in France have found the compounds ethyl isobutanoate, ethyl butanoate, ethyl 2-methylbutanoate, 3-methylbutyl-2-methylpropanoate and 2-phenethyl hexanoate that are found in beer brewed with Barbe Rouge may be linked to red fruit and strawberry aromas.