Hops are the female flower cones, also known as strobiles, of the hop plant (Humulus lupulus). The hop is part of the family Cannabaceae, which also includes the genus Cannabis (hemp). They are used primarily as a flavoring and stability agent in beer, though hops are also used for various purposes in other beverages and herbal medicine. The first documented use of hops in beer as a bittering agent is from the eleventh century. Hops are used extensively in brewing today for their many purported benefits, including balancing the sweetness of the malt with bitterness, contributing a variety of desirable flavors and aromas, and having an antibiotic effect that favors the activity of brewer’s yeast over less desirable microorganisms. The hop plant is a vigorous climbing herbaceous perennial, usually grown up strings in a field called a hop garden or hop yard.
Here at Bittersweet Hops we grow several varieties of hops including Galena, Brewers Gold, and Cascade.
The Galena variety is our signature hop variety here at Bittersweet Hops, a clean bittering hop that goes great with many other varieties which makes it very desirable. It is an American hop that’s lineage can be drawn from Brewer’s Gold variety it became available in 1978. It is used primarily for bittering, but has also been described as “citrusy” and “fresh.” It has an alpha acid volume between 10-14%. It is great for both American and English styles.
Released in 2002 the Newport variety was originally bred in 1996 it is one of the newest varieties “in the game.” It was bred because of it’s resistance to mildew. We find that it is a superb bittering hop with mild aromas is perfect because of it’s wide range of alpha acids, 10-17%. It is great for Ales, Stouts, and Barley Wine.
Cascade hops are hands down the most popular American hop out there. Used primarily for it’s flowery and citrus-like aromas and flavors. It is a very low alpha acids, 4-7%. Used for lagers and ales it is a must have for anyone looking to…I don’t feel like writing any more about this. If you don’t know about Cascade hops then you have no business being here in the first place.
