What Are Hops?
Hops are the flowers (also called seed cones or strobiles) of the hop plant, Humulus lupulus. These vibrant green cones are what give beer its characteristic bitterness, act as a natural preservative, and contribute a wide array of flavors and aromas to your favorite brews.
Native to temperate regions around the world, hops have been used in brewing for over a thousand years. Today, they're an essential ingredient that defines craft beer culture and separates ordinary beer from extraordinary experiences.
Did You Know?
Hops and cannabis are actually close cousins, both belonging to the Cannabaceae family. While they share similar aromatic compounds called terpenes, hops contain no psychoactive properties. The terpenes are what give both plants their distinctive aromas.
How Hops Affect Beer
Hops influence beer in three primary ways:
Bitterness: The alpha acids in hops provide the bitter counterbalance to malt sweetness. When hops are added early in the boil, these acids isomerize and create the classic bitter taste we associate with IPAs and other hop-forward beers.
Aroma: Added late in the brewing process or during dry-hopping, hops contribute incredible aromatic complexity. These volatile compounds create everything from citrus and pine to floral and tropical fruit notes.
Flavor: The essential oils in hops provide flavor compounds that can range from earthy and herbal to fruity and spicy. The timing of hop additions during brewing dramatically affects which flavors shine through.
Interactive Flavor Wheel
Hover over each flavor category to learn more
Hover over a flavor to see tasting notes
Common Hop Varieties
Each hop variety brings its own unique character to beer. Here are some of the most popular varieties used in craft brewing:
Amarillo
Origin: United States
Known for its distinctive orange citrus and floral character. Amarillo hops add a bright, sunny quality to beers with notes of grapefruit, peach, and melon.
Citra
Origin: United States
A superstar of the craft beer world. Citra delivers intense citrus and tropical fruit flavors including lime, grapefruit, passion fruit, and lychee. Perfect for juicy IPAs.
Mosaic
Origin: United States
Complex and versatile with notes of mango, pine, citrus, and herbs. Mosaic creates a beautiful layered aroma profile that evolves as you drink.
Simcoe
Origin: United States
Bold and assertive with piney, earthy character alongside citrus notes. Simcoe is perfect for West Coast IPAs and provides a resinous, dank quality.
Cascade
Origin: United States
The hop that started the American craft beer revolution. Cascade offers balanced citrus and floral notes with a clean bitterness. A true classic.
Saaz
Origin: Czech Republic
A noble hop variety prized for its mild, earthy, and spicy character. Essential for traditional pilsners and European lagers. Elegant and refined.
Did You Know?
Hops are incredibly resilient plants that can grow up to 25 feet in a single growing season! They climb clockwise around their supports and must be harvested at exactly the right time to capture peak flavor and aroma compounds.
Hop Additions & Timing
When hops are added during the brewing process significantly impacts their contribution:
Bittering Hops (60-90 minutes): Added at the start of the boil for maximum bitterness extraction. The long boil time drives off aromatic compounds but isomerizes alpha acids.
Flavor Hops (15-30 minutes): Added mid-boil to contribute both bitterness and flavor. This sweet spot preserves some aromatic qualities while still extracting bitterness.
Aroma Hops (0-5 minutes): Added at the end of the boil or during whirlpool to maximize aroma contribution while minimizing bitterness.
Dry Hopping (post-fermentation): Hops added after fermentation for intense aroma without additional bitterness. This technique is essential for hazy IPAs and New England styles.