Hop to it!

Photo credit to Alban Martel

I signed up for a beer class at my university to learn more about what goes into making beer and what exactly defines each category of beer. During my first class, I learned that there are many different types of hops and three cycles of brewing hops. First, for bittering, second, for flavor, and third, for aroma. In total, our class learned about seven different types of hops including Cascadian, Centennial, Chinook, Hallertau, Saaz, Simcoe, and Tettnang.

Cascadian

Cascadian is the most popular type of hop used in American beers. This type of hop originated in Oregon, USA and got its name from the Cascade mountain range. One of the most prominent characteristics of this hop is its citrusy aroma. Below I’ve included a small list of beers that predominantly use Cascade hops.

· Sierra Nevada Pale Ale - Sierra Nevada Brewing

· Liberty IPA - Anchor Brewing

Centennial

These hops are more bitter than cascade hops and are usually used for bittering and aroma rather than flavor. If you’re looking to try a single-hop centennial brew, try:

· Hellbound On My Ale -Dogfish Head Brewery

· Two Hearted Ale – Bell’s Brewery

Chinook

These hops are also of United States origin and have a more pine-like aroma and, according to Brooklyn Brew Shop, are grown in Washington state. Chinook hops are usually used for bittering rather than for flavoring and aroma. A Chinook hop beer to try would be

· Celebration Ale- Sierra Nevada Brewing

Hallertau

These hops origin is German, and they have a spicy aroma to them. They are used in Pale Ales, Wheat beers, American lagers, and naturally the German pilsner.

Saaz

Saaz hops originate from the Czech Republic, which I have also learned is the home to the pilsner style beer. This leads to my next fact, that this type of hop is used extensively in Pilsner style beers. For this style of beer, our class drank:

· Pilsner Urquell

For more information about the remaining two hops check out

Brooklyn brew shop for more info!