What are hops?

Hops are the female flower (cone) of the humulus lupulus plant that produces lupulin. The male plant produces seeds and does not flower.

Over 100 varieties are available, often with attributes specific to their genes and the climate they are grown in. Most hops can be generalized as bittering hops, aroma hops, or dual-purpose hops (bittering and aroma).

Why do brewers use hops?

Hops are one of four main ingredients in beer, including water, barley and yeast. Hops provide aroma, flavor, bitterness, and preservative qualities to beer.

When heat is added to hops in the boil, the alpha acids will become stable and add bitterness to the beer. At high heat, the volatile aromas that provide aroma and flavor are boiled off.

When the hop oils are not heated and otherwise preserved, the hops oils in the final product may impart strong aromas and flavors.

What is lupulin?

Lupulin is the yellow sticky, pollen-like substance found in the female hop flower. It contains the acids, oils, and resins extracted during the brewing process.

What is a bine?

Vines and bines are both climbing plants with different mechanisms to support themselves as they grow. Vines use tendrils or suckers to grab onto things, while bines wrap themselves around things. Bines tend to have a rougher surface than vines due to the downward pointing bristles that support their weight. Hops are considered bines and grow best when trained (or wrapped) around string or twine.

Where do hops grow?

Like most vegetation, different varieties grow better in different climates and regions around the world., but hop production has historically been concentrated in the Northern United States, Germany, and the Czech Republic or, more popularly, around the 48th parallel north.

Can I grow hops?

Probably. Check what varieties do best in your climate, but rhizomes, the root stock the hop plant grows from, are typically available from your local homebrew supply store in the spring.

It will take 2-3 years to get full growth, but start small as these are a rather hearty plant and you could get a couple dozen bines from a single crown eventually. They cannot support their own weight without something to wrap themselves around, so consider this when selecting a location to plant.

After harvest, consider using them in a wet-hopped ale, or investing in a compact dehumidifier and vacuum-packaging system… and best used when fresh (within a few months).

What is your logo?

It’s based on the chemical structure of humulene, a primary oil found in hops. Humulene oil imparts a woody, earthy and herbal character found in many aroma hops.