Beer remains to be one of the most popular drinks to this day. It’s a great beverage for social events and has a wide array of variety that can accommodate almost everyone. Due to its popularity, people are pursuing degrees to learn about the intricacies of brewing beer. Those who didn’t get a formal education in Brewing and Distilling Science can learn through apprenticeships.
Regardless of background, aspiring brewers need to learn about the different ingredients used in brewing. Some can alter tastes, while others act as preservatives. Certain ingredients, however, can do both, likehops, which come fromHumulus Lupulus. It is a plant filled with alpha acids that make hops a bittering and stabilizing agent at times.
Here are five popular beer hops you ought to know.
Crystal
In 1993, there was an ingenious idea to combine Cascade, Brewer’s Gold, and Early Green hops. This idea gave birth to the aromatic and quite pungent Crystal hops.
Given its low alpha acid content of 3.5 percent to 5.5 percent, Crystal hops can give beers earthy tones with a hint of spice without making it too bitter. It can be substituted for or with any Hallertau variety like the German Hallertau hops. Brewers use these hops when brewing Lagers or Golden Ales.
Amarillo
The Amarillo hops is the more notable name for VGXP01, a variety discovered by Virgil Gamache Farms Inc. It is popular for its relatively high Alpha acid composition, which can range from eight percent to 11 percent.
Nowadays, it’s become a suitable substitute for Cascade hops because the Amarillo shares its distinct citrus flavor, only it’s much stronger and is a bit flowery and spicy at the same time. Brewers commonly use it in brewing IPA beers.
Citra
The Citra Brand is a Hallertauer hybrid with an Alpha content ranging from 12 percent to 16 percent. Since it’s too bitter for most brewers, they often use Citra hops as a flavoring or aromatic agent.
It is particularly citrusy in taste and smell. Some have noted lime, lemon, and citrus when Citra hops are added. Brewers also often use it as a substitute for Simcoe or Mosaic; and brewers that make American IPA or Pale Ale add it, too.
Centennial
Centennial hops were first bred in 1974 and are composed of 3/4 Brewers Gold, 3/32 Fuggle, 1/6 East Kent Golding, 1/32 Bavarian and 1/16 Unknown.
These hops have a dual purpose since they are aromatic with a high Alpha acid composition ranging from 9.5 percent to 11.5 percent. When used in brewing, it can alter the smell of the beer to make it smell of flowers and citrus. It also helps make the beer to have a clean, bitter taste.
People usually refer to it as the “Super Cascade” because they smell similar, except Centennial is more bitter. Brewers of Ales and IPAs commonly use Centennial hops.
Cascade
Cascade hops are one of the most popular varieties in craft brewing. Its Alpha acid composition ranges between 4.5 percent and 7 percent. Due to this, its common usage is as an aromatic agent, but some brewers utilize it for its bittering aspect still.
When used in brewing Ales, Cascade hops add spice and grapefruit dominant citrus aromas to the beer.
There are other varieties available for brewers to use. It’s up to them whether they wish to make beer that is bitter but pleasant to the smell, or something a little sweeter.