USDA Accession NO.: 21697
SELECTION: Seedling selection Nr. 9045-20 from cross Nr. 45 made at Corvallis, OR in 1990
GENUS: Humulus
SPECIES: lupulus
CULTIVAR: Sunbeam
PEDIGREE: USDA 21522 x OP; Saazer 38 x open pollinated
PRIMARY SITE: USDA-OSU Hop experimental farm, East Farm, Corvallis, OR.
ORIGIN: open pollinated seed collected by Dr. Al Haunold in 1990
DATE RECEIVED: summer 1990, selected as a seedling in 1992
METHOD RECEIVED: seedling selection
AVAILABILITY: no restrictions, publicly released variety
REFERENCES: A. Haunold, G.B. Nickerson, U. Gampert, and D.S. Kling. 1995. Registration of 'Sunbeam' ornamental hop. Crop Science 35: 1708,1995.
USDA-ARS: Notice of release of two ornamental hops, Sunbeam and Bianca. Washington DC. Dec. 5, 1995 (signed by C.E. Finney, Administrator
MATURITY: medium early
LEAF COLOR: lemon yellow
SEX: female
DISEASES: downy mildew: moderately resistant
Verticillium wilt: moderately resistant
Viruses: free of all major hop viruses at the time of release
VIGOR: very good
YIELD: good
SIDE ARM LENGTH: 12 to 30 inches
ALPHA ACIDS: 4 to 5%
BETA ACIDS: 2.5%
COHUMULONE: 36%
STORAGE STABILITY: fair, similar to its female parent Saazer
OIL: 0.8 to 1.3 ml/100 g. Humulene 14%; caryophyllene 4%; farnesene 6%; myrcene 56%; H/C ratio = 3.12. The oil is moderately high in humulene and farnesene.
MAJOR TRAITS: attractive lemon-yellow leaf color during the whole season., reddish brownstem color which contrasts nicely with the yellow leaves.
OTHER INFORMATION: This is an ornamental diploid hop which is not intended for commercial production. However, the cones could be suitable for flavoring beer and ales especially of a Saazer-type aroma profile is desired. The reduced chlorophyll content makes Sunbeam sensitive to direct sunlight in midsummer, causing shriveling and browning of the leaves. Therefore, this variety is best grown in semi-shaded areas to maintain attractive foliage during the entire growing season.