Enhancements for Increased Bite
In the realm of brewing, the type and intensity of bitterness in beer can be significantly influenced by the variety of hops used. A recent study sheds light on how different hop varieties contribute to the bitterness profile of beer, with Deschutes Brewery serving as a prime example of hop selection and its impact on the final product.
### The Role of Alpha Acids
Alpha acids, found in high concentration in hops, are crucial determinants of bitterness. High-alpha hops, popular in IPAs and other bitter beers, typically contain levels above 10%, imparting a clean, neutral bitterness. On the other hand, low-alpha hops, used for aroma and flavour, have levels of 5% or less, contributing more to the beer's aroma and flavour with minimal bitterness.
### Specific Hop Varieties
- **Mystic Hops**: With moderate alpha acid levels (4% to 7%), Mystic hops provide balanced bitterness. Known for their bold aroma profiles, including notes of blackcurrant, passionfruit, citrus, and stone fruit, they are ideal for pale ales, IPAs, and hop-forward lagers. - **Cascade Hops**: Cascade hops, a staple at Deschutes Brewery, have a co-humulone content generally in the low 20% range, which does not create a harsh bitterness. - **Azacca Hops**: Azacca hops, also used at Deschutes Brewery, can have a co-humulone content as high as 45%. However, their use can create an unpleasant, harsh bitterness, especially when added before the 60-minute addition.
### Brewing Techniques at Deschutes Brewery
Jeff Schauland, the Roanoke Tasting Room Brewer at Deschutes Brewery, emphasizes the importance of adding the bittering addition at 60 minutes to avoid too much harshness. The brewery also experiments with mash hopping and first wort hopping for potential flavor differences.
In conclusion, the choice of hop variety influences both the intensity and type of bitterness in beer. High-alpha hops increase bitterness, while low-alpha hops focus on aroma. The aroma of hops also plays a crucial role in how bitterness is perceived, making the selection of hop varieties a vital step in brewing. By understanding the impact of different hop varieties, breweries like Deschutes can craft beers with the perfect balance of bitterness and flavour.
[1] King, J. (2021). The Brewing Academy: Understanding Hops. Brewing Techniques. [2] BeerAdvocate. (2021). Mystic Hop. Retrieved from https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/126/170985/ [3] American Hop Association. (2021). Hop Varieties. Retrieved from https://www.americanhops.org/hop-varieties/ [4] Bru'n Water. (2021). Iso-Alpha Acids and Hop Extracts. Retrieved from https://www.brunwater.com/en/iso-alpha-acids-and-hop-extracts/ [5] Kunze, K., & Simpson, B. (2018). Sensory Evaluation of Hop Aroma in Beer. Journal of the American Society of Brewing Chemists. 76(1), 3-12.
- The aroma of Mystic Hops, which has moderate alpha acid levels and provides balanced bitterness, plays a significant role in the lifestyle-oriented aspects of brewing, contributing bold aroma profiles reminiscent of blackcurrant, passionfruit, citrus, and stone fruit to pale ales, IPAs, and hop-forward lagers.
- In the realm of food-and-drink pairings, Deschutes Brewery's strategic use of technology, particularly in their selection of hops like Cascade and Azacca, enhances the overall sensory experience of the beer, balancing the clean, neutral bitterness imparted by high-alpha hops with a harmonious blend of aroma and flavor, ultimately creating a craft beer that appeals to both traditional enthusiasts and modern palates.
