Before hops were used in beer, many types of herbs were added to balance out the sweetness of malt. The introduction of hops changed the flavor of beer forever. Hops not only add bitterness needed to balance the malt, but also act as a natural preservative, increasing your beer's shelf life. There are a wide variety available and all have unique flavor and aromatic properties.

Bittering hops are hops that are used to add bitterness to beer. Although any hop can be used as a bittering hop most often hops with a high "alpha" are used. Alpha is an index of hop bitterness. The higher the alpha number, the greater the bitterness of the hop. All current alpha ratings are printed on the package. High alpha hops allow the brewer to use less ounces to obtain bitterness. We have found that "step hopping" or adding hops in intervals during the brewing process can add a smoother and less harsh bitterness.

Aroma hops are added at the very end of the boil to give beer its aroma. Any hop again can be used for aroma but some are better suited than others. We've done our best to describe some of the aromas that are given by different hop varieties but we encourage you to experiment and find which hops you enjoy. Experimenting with different hop varieties is one of the joys of brewing at home.

Pelletized hops are the most common form used in both commercial and home breweries. Air will deteriorate the quality of hops quickly and reduce their effectiveness. By pelletizing, hops are exposed to less air, prolonging freshness. All of our hops come in oxygen barrier bags. We buy a majority of our hops directly from the processors in large quantities, so we can pass the savings on to you.