Welcome to an exploration of the fascinating world of hops! In this article we delve deeper into the different hop varieties and their unique properties, with a focus on the New World, specifically the United States, New Zealand and Australia.

Table of contents

• 🌍 What are Hops?
• 🌱 The Main Regions for Hops
• 🇺🇸 The American Hop Revolution
• 🍺 The Rise of Aromatic Hops
• 🌿 New Zealand & Australian Hops
• ❓ Frequently Asked Questions

🌍 What are Hops?

Hops are the flowers of the hop plant, which grow in the temperate climates of the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. These flowers are used in the brewing process to add aroma, flavor and bitterness to beer. During harvest, the flowers are often added to the beer fresh from the vine, but most often they are picked, dried and processed into pellets to preserve and intensify the essential oils and acids.

🌱 The Main Regions for Hops

There are four major hop growing areas in the world:

• The Pacific Northwest of America
• Central Europe
• New Zealand
• South East Australia

Each of these regions has its own customs, techniques, terroir and unique varieties. This results in a wide range of aromas and flavors, ranging from spicy and floral to tropical and fruity.

🇺🇸 The American Hop Revolution

The American hop revolution began in the 1950s, when macro breweries such as Anheuser Busch and Miller sought efficiency. They asked for hop varieties with higher bitterness, which led to the development of more bitter hop varieties, as well as aroma hops with powerful flavors. Cascade is one of the first commercial hop varieties to emerge from this movement.

Although Cascade was not originally popular with major breweries due to its strong flavor, it was later embraced by home brewers. This led to the creation of iconic beers such as Liberty Ale and Sierra Nevada Pale Ale.

🍺 The Rise of Aromatic Hops

With the rise of the craft beer movement, new hop varieties entered the market, such as Citra, which was introduced in 2009. Citra is now one of the most popular hops in the craft beer world, known for its complex aromas of mango, grapefruit and pine.

Photo by Ryan Cuerden on Unsplash

Citra's versatility makes it a favorite among brewers, and it is often used in a variety of styles, especially New England IPAs.

🌿 New Zealand & Australian Hops

New Zealand hops, such as Nelson Sauvin and Motueka, have gained popularity in recent years. They are known for their unique flavors, which are often compared to Sauvignon Blanc grapes. Motueka, for example, has a citrus flavor that is perfect for pilsners and IPAs.

Photo by Danielle Eagle on Unsplash

Australian hops, such as Galaxy and Vic Secret, offer a tropical character with flavors of mango and pineapple. It is important to be careful with these hops as they can also have an earthy bitterness.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the main differences between American and New Zealand hops?

   American hops tend to be bolder and more aromatic, while New Zealand hops offer unique fruity flavors, such as that of Sauvignon Blanc.

2. How does terroir influence the flavor of hops?

   The origin of the hops, the soil and the climate in which they grow all influence the final taste and aroma of the hops.

3. What are some popular hop varieties for brewing?

   Popular hop varieties include Cascade, Citra, Nelson Sauvin and Galaxy, each with their own unique flavors and aromas.

Hops are an essential part of the brewing process and offer an incredible diversity of flavors and aromas. Whether you're a craft beer enthusiast or just curious about the different hop varieties, there's always something new to discover in the world of hops!