Aromatic hops offer a finishing touch to a batch of homebrew.
Hops are usually added to beer at two points in the brewing cycle. The bittering hops come first and they spend a longer amount of time in the boiling wort. Aromatic/Finishing hops come next, and while they do not remain in the beer as long, they are still important to the taste and aroma of the finished product.
Many varieties of finishing hops exist and knowing the right hop for your recipe can have a noticeable impact on the taste and quality of the final product. Here is a breakdown of some of the more common types of bittering hops with some brief information on each, including the Alpha Acid Percentage (AA%) for each (Remember- a higher AA% means the bitterness imparted on your beer will be greater):
Aromatic Hops:
Cascade- A popular hop for west coast ales, this American grown variety imparts a citrus- like flavor to beer with an aroma that combines spice, floral, and citrus notes. AA%: 5 to 8%
Crystal- A milder hop, this American grown version is used for aromatic purposes and make a good, clean finishing hop for many varieties of beer. AA%: 9 to 12%
East Kent Goldings- Brough to you from the United Kingdom, these hops offer a combination of spicy and earthy elements to your homebrew. AA%: 5 to 7%
Fuggles- These hops are grown in both the United States and United Kingdom and are known for their grassy and floral aroma. AA%: 4 to 6%
Hallertauer- Grown in Germany- primarily in the Bavaria region- these hops are noted for their spiciness and herbal aroma. AA%: 3 to 5%
Liberty- Made in America, these hops are known for their less assertive character and are used as a finishing hop. AA%: 3 to 5%
Mt. Hood- Grown in the United States, these hops are mild in aroma and make a good, general purpose finishing hop for many lagers. AA%: 4 to 8%
Saaz- Grown mainly in the Czech Republic, these hops are noted for their mild floral aroma and for their importance in brewing some of the world’s finest Bohemian style lagers. AA%: 2 to 5%
Tettnang- Germany and the United States grow this type of hop. It is good to use as a spicy, aromatic finishing hop. AA%: 3 to 6%
Willamette- Grassy and floral, these finishing hops are native to the United States and are often used in the dry- hopping process. AA%: 4 to 7%
Leave a Reply