Virus free Žatec (Saaz) hops.

By way of reference tests the quality of the supplied virus free Saaz semi-early red bine hop was verified in large scale conditions as a sensory equivalent raw material. As regards its contents of alpha-bitter acid (5,38 % w/w. in dry substance by the HPLC method) the investigated material highly exceeds the parallelly purchased hops (crop average - 3,5 % w/w in dry substance by the HPLC method) with the very similar contents of essentials oils. The process of warming of the virus free hops offers an important economic improvement both for cultivators and breweries. The cultivation of the virus free Saaz semi-early red bine hop brings a 15 - 20 % higher yield, on the other hand its warming leads to a cost reduction in hopping by 30 % at the minimum. The experience acquired from the use of the virus free hop for the production of 10 % beers will be utilized further on in next tests in brewing of the 12 % Budweiser Budvar beer(In Czech, English summary only)