| Hops have been in brewing since the 1400's, when | | | | but most hops are grown in Europe, predominantly. |
| they first appeared as an ingredient possible for gruit | | | | Hops are perennial plants and grow over 16 feet tall |
| beer. They originated in western Europe, and over | | | | on trellis'. Yellow-green flowers hang like ripe grapes |
| hundreds of years, they made their way into every | | | | at harvest. To harvest, farmers cut the vine near the |
| country in Europe. Because of their excellent | | | | base. Flowers are collected and sent to storage. Hops |
| preservative qualities, hops became standard in beers | | | | brokers hold the different varieties of hops in coolers. |
| across Europe. Today, hops are optional in beers, but | | | | Breweries purchase these hops to make the beers |
| are still a standard because of their high quality of | | | | we enjoy. In storage, hops can last up to six months. |
| bittering sweet malts and contain natural preservative | | | | To insure you are getting good hops, look for green |
| qualities. Also, contemporary hops have several | | | | color with no yellowing or browning of the petals. |
| varieties that brewers use like chefs. Even in Italy, | | | | In brewing beer, hops are added at different stages |
| fine beers are crafted with local hops that are | | | | of making beer. This applies to both the large brewer |
| specific to the beers they make and the foods they | | | | and the home brewer. Hops are added to preserve |
| serve. | | | | and to bitter beer. IPA's are very bitter, high alcohol |
| Hops are vine type plants that grow over 16 feet tall. | | | | content beers that originated from Britain preserving |
| What is harvested by the farmers are the small | | | | their beers with heavy hops. These beers were sent |
| flowers, about 1.5 inches long, that look like | | | | to India. Thus, India Pale Ale. IPA. Worts are best |
| yellow-green pine cones. They are very soft and | | | | boiled for a time. Hops are added to be boiled five to |
| pliable. For the home brewer, hops should always | | | | twenty minutes. The time of boil depends on the |
| have this appearance. If the hops you bring home to | | | | type of beer, the brewer, the type of hops, and the |
| brew beer vary towards yellow or brown, the hops | | | | stage of cooking that they are used. |
| are not fresh and will impart a strange flavor into the | | | | Not every hop is made the same. Farmers grow |
| wort. Because malts are so sweet, hops are used to | | | | about 33 common types of hops. Hops are |
| bitter beer and are added at different stages of | | | | categorized by how much bitterness they impart. Oils, |
| brewing. When hops are added is dependent upon | | | | tannins, and acids make up the bittering agent of |
| what type of ale or lager is being brewed. | | | | hops. Each variety imparts a different level of each. |
| Hops are a medicinal plant as well as an herb. Hops | | | | As a brewer, the difference in hops becomes much |
| for ages have been known for their abilities to calm | | | | like a chef in gauging the potency of chile peppers. |
| the nervous system, help digestion, improve appetite | | | | Each tastes differently and each has a different heat |
| and promote sleep. Though I often consider hops a | | | | and sweetness. As a brewer, decisions need to be |
| beer component, infusions and teas are still as if they | | | | made as to which hop at what time for this malt. |
| were made before hops and beer were ever | | | | Thankfully there are other brewers who came |
| married. | | | | before us. Recipes for American Lagers, Nut Brown |
| Hops are grown in some places of western America, | | | | Ales, and more are easy to find. |
