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- Cascade. Origin: USA. Alpha acid: 4.5-8.9% Used for its bitterness: Yes. Used for aromas: Yes. Flavor profile: floral, citrus, grapefruit. Often used in: Barley Wine, American Pale, Ale, Lager.
- Centennial. Origin: USA. Alpha acid: 9.5-11.5% Used for its bitterness: Yes. Used for aromas: Yes. Flavor profile: citrus, floral, earthy. Often used in: British Bitter, Barley Wine, IPA, Pale Ale.
- Chinook. Origin: USA. Alpha acid: 12-14% Used for its bitterness: Yes. Used for aromas: Yes. Flavor profile: citrus, spice, piney. Often used in: IPA, Porter, Stout, American Ale, American Lager.
- Simcoe. Origin: USA. Alpha acid: 12-14% Used for its bitterness: Yes. Used for aromas: Yes. Flavor profile: earthy, piney, herbal, citrus. Often used in: Pale Ale, IPAs, Double IPAs.
Hops are chock full of alpha acids, which are the primary bittering agent brewers use to balance the sweetness in the beer imparted by grain during the brewing process. Hops are also a concentrated source of the essential oils that lend many beers their signature, intoxicating flavors and aromas.
Hops can be broadly classified into two categories: bittering hops and aroma hops. Bittering hops, as the name suggests, provide the bitter quality that balances out the sweetness of malt in beer. Aroma hops, on the other hand, contribute more to the beer’s fragrance and flavor profile.
- Dan Specht
As far as beer is concerned, what we call “hops” are actually just the cone-shaped flowers of the female hops plant, aka Humulus lupulus. A cousin of cannabis —with none of the THC, alas—hops...
- Vinepair Staff
Bittering hops have higher concentrations of alpha acids, and are responsible for the large majority of the bitter flavour of a beer. European (so-called "noble") hops typically average 5–9% alpha acids by weight (AABW), and the newer American cultivars typically range from 8–19% AABW.
What do hops do in beer? Making beer is a scientific process involving four main ingredients (water, malt, hops and yeast). With those four ingredients, hundreds of flavours, colours, ABVs (measures of alcoholic strength) and mouth feels can be created in the brew.
Nov 5, 2020 · Hops are added to beer during the brewing process for several reasons: To add that essential bitter taste (beer would be sugary and sweet without them) To add those irresistible flavors we all love so much. Act as a preservative. Retain the head of the beer.
