Hops

Hops have two functions: they give the beer aromas and a specific taste.

Furthermore it allows keeping beer over a longer period of time.

Only the unfertilized cones of the flower of the female plant are used to make hops which gives beer its flavor.

Starting in the 14th century hops were widely used and replaced the herbs or spices formerly used.

The main constituents of hops are the following:

  • Bitter constituents (humulone and lupulone) that give beer its delicate bitterness;
  • Essential oils which determine the aroma;
  • Tannins which contribute to clarifying the wort and to supporting the flocculation of crude protein during the brewing process.

Hops by BrewDog