Purchasing Hops For Brewing Beer: How Much Do You Need?

Hops are an essential ingredient in beer brewing, providing bitterness and a wide range of flavours. The amount of hops you need to make beer depends on the style of beer you are trying to create, the desired level of bitterness, and the specific hops variety used. For example, a highly hoppy IPA will require a larger quantity of hops than a maltier beer such as a lager or wheat beer. Additionally, different hops varieties have different alpha acid levels, which contribute to the bitterness of the beer. When calculating the amount of hops needed, it is important to consider the size of the batch, the boil size, and the boiling time.

Hops are added to beer to provide bitterness and flavour

Hops are added to beer to provide bitterness, flavour, and stability. They are the flowers, or cones, of the female hops plant, Humulus lupulus, a cousin of the cannabis plant. Hops contain acids and oils that impart bitterness, flavour, and stability to the finished beer. The amount of hops added to a beer depends on the style of beer being made.

Hops are typically added to the boil stage of brewing, as it takes a long time (around an hour) to unleash the "alpha" acids that bitter and balance the sweetness of the malt. However, the timing of hop additions can vary depending on the desired flavour and style of the beer. For example, adding hops later in the boil will result in less bitterness, as the aromatic oils are destroyed during a long boiling process.

The bitterness of a beer can be measured using International Bitterness Units (IBUs), which quantify the iso-alpha acids in a beer. The higher the IBU value, the more bitter the beer. The desired IBU range will depend on the style of beer being brewed. For example, an American Amber Ale typically has an IBU range of 20-40, while an Imperial Stout will have a much higher IBU range to balance the maltiness of the beer.

When it comes to purchasing hops, the amount you need will depend on the recipe and style of beer you are brewing. For a 5-gallon batch, the amount of hops can range from 100-250 grams (3.5-9 ounces), depending on the recipe and the desired bitterness level. For example, an IPA or APA will require a larger amount of hops compared to other styles. Additionally, the cost of hops should be considered, as they are a precious and increasingly expensive commodity.

The amount of hops you need depends on the style of beer you are making

The amount of hops you need to make beer depends on the style of beer you are making. The type of hops you use will also depend on the desired level of bitterness, aroma, and flavour.

Hops are divided into three main types: bittering, finishing, and dual-purpose hops. Bittering hops have high alpha acid levels, finishing hops have high aroma levels, and dual-purpose hops are a combination of the two. The type of hops you use will depend on the style of beer you are making and the desired flavour profile. For example, if you are making an IPA or APA, you will need a larger quantity of hops than if you are making a cream ale or Belgian beer.

The amount of hops you use will also depend on the size of your batch and the boil size. A larger batch will require more hops, while a smaller batch will require fewer hops. The boil size is important because it affects the utilization percentage, which is the percentage of hops that are dissolved in the wort during the boil. A longer boil time will result in more utilization, while a shorter boil time will result in less utilization.

Another factor to consider is the alpha acid content of the hops. Hops with a higher alpha acid content will require fewer hops to achieve the same level of bitterness as hops with a lower alpha acid content. For example, if you are using Magnum hops with a 15% alpha acid content, you will need fewer hops than if you are using hops with a 5% alpha acid content.

Finally, the desired level of bitterness will also affect the amount of hops you need. If you are making a highly bitter beer, such as an Imperial Stout, you will need more hops than if you are making a less bitter beer, such as a Pilsner.

Hops can be added at any time during the brewing process

Hops are added to the wort during the boil stage of the brewing process. The boil stage is divided into three parts: bittering, flavour, and aroma. Hops can be added at any of these stages, or even during multiple stages, depending on the desired taste and aroma of the beer.

The timing of the hop addition will determine the role it plays in the final product. Hops added during the bittering stage, which is the first part of the boil, contribute to the bitterness of the beer and help balance the sweetness of the malt. Hops added during the flavour stage, which is the second part of the boil, add a crisp hoppy flavour to the beer. Finally, hops added during the aroma stage, which is the last part of the boil, impart a strong aroma to the beer.

It is important to note that the duration of the boil can also vary, with some recipes calling for shorter or longer boiling times. The longer the hops are boiled, the more bitter the beer will become. Therefore, hops added during the early stages of the boil will have a greater impact on the bitterness of the beer, while those added later will contribute more to the flavour and aroma.

Most beer recipes will specify when to add the hops during the boil, usually indicating the time from the start or the end of the boil. For example, a recipe might instruct adding the bittering hops 30 minutes into a 60-minute boil or with 30 minutes left in the boil. Following the recipe instructions is crucial to achieving the desired level of bitterness, flavour, and aroma in the final beer.

Additionally, the type and amount of hops used can also be adjusted to suit the desired style and taste of the beer. Different varieties of hops have varying concentrations of alpha acids, beta acids, and hop oils, which contribute to bitterness, flavour, and aroma in different ways. The amount of hops added will also depend on the style of beer being brewed, with some styles requiring more hops than others.

There are different types of hops with different flavour profiles

The amount of hops you'll need to make beer depends on the style of beer you're trying to make. For example, a recipe for a 5-gallon batch of beer may require 200 grams (or 8 oz) of hops, while another recipe for the same batch size may only call for 100 grams (or 3.5 oz). The type of beer you're brewing will also determine how much hops you need. If you're making an IPA or APA, for instance, you'll need a larger quantity of hops than if you were brewing a cream ale or Belgian beer.

• U.K. Challenger: Known for its bittering potential, it has fruity, tea, and citrusy aromas.
• Ekuanot™ Brand HBC 366: This hop variety has massive resinous and spicy and tangerine aromas.
• Cascade (New Zealand): A dual-purpose hop with melon, lemon, lime, herb, and citrus fruit flavours and aromas.
• Northern Brewer: A bittering hop with evergreen, wood, and peppery aromas.
• Hallertauer Mittelfrüh: A mild and clean aroma with a slightly spicy character.
• Wakatu: Floral aromas with notes of fresh lime zest and citrus oils, and a Mittlefrüh-style sweetness.
• Brewer's Gold (US): A high-alpha bittering hop with herbaceous notes.

These are just a few examples of the many different types of hops available to brewers. Each variety has its own unique flavour and aroma profile, which can greatly impact the character and style of the beer. When selecting hops, it's important to consider the desired flavour profile and the intended use, such as bittering, aroma, or both.

You can grow your own hops

Hops (Humulus lupulus) are a hardy, perennial vine plant that can be grown at home. They are a key ingredient in beer, providing bitterness, aroma, flavour, mouthfeel, and flavour stabilisation. Hops also act as an antimicrobial agent, preserving beer and aiding with foam retention.

Getting Started

Before planting hops, you'll need to prepare your soil. Hops thrive in loamy, well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5. The pH level directly affects the nutrients available to the plant, so it's important to get this right. Aim for slightly acidic soil with a pH of 6.7-6.9. You can add sand to the soil to improve drainage and try deep irrigation to reduce saltiness.

When it comes to location, hops grow best between the 35th and 55th parallels, as these regions receive the most daylight for the growing stages. However, don't be discouraged if you live outside of this range, as hops can still be grown in other regions with proper planning. Certain hop varieties perform better in specific climates. For example, Chinook grows well in dry, hot climates, while Golding hops prefer mild, moist climates.

Planting and Maintenance

Hops can live for 25-50 years, so planning their grow space is crucial. They need plenty of climbing space in a sunny, south-facing location with well-draining soil. To support the hop bines, you'll need to use string (e.g. hemp, wire, fencing, or netting) that allows the hops to shoot upwards. You can run string down from the roof of your house, build a homemade trellis, or construct a metal or wooden framework.

Planting months vary by region, so be sure to research the best time to plant for your area. For example, planting occurs in February in California and April in Colorado. You can purchase a pH testing kit from your local gardening store to ensure your soil is at the correct level. If your soil pH is too low, use lime or wood ashes to reduce acidity, and if it's too high, use aluminium sulfate and sulfur to reduce alkalinity.

Dig a one-foot-deep hole and add a shovelful of compost to make soil nutrients more available to the roots. Then, add two to three handfuls of mycorrhizal inoculum, which aids in nutrient uptake and root growth. Plant three to six rhizomes two inches below the soil surface, ensuring the shoots point upward. Space each area of rhizome varieties three to five feet apart to avoid root mixing. After planting, add another inch of compost and then two inches of mulch to prevent weed growth and protect young plants from late frost.

Hops require frequent light watering, especially during their first year. The older the plant, the less frequent the watering. Avoid overhead watering, as this can create a moist environment that is disease-prone. A drip irrigation system is the most water-efficient method.

Harvesting and Drying

Harvesting typically occurs from mid-August through September, depending on your location and the variety of hops. It's important to be patient and not pick the cones too early. You want to harvest over-ripe hops rather than under-ripe ones. There are a few methods to check the ripeness of your hops:

• Squeeze the cones lightly; when they feel light and dry and spring back after a squeeze, they're ready.
• Roll a cone in your hands and smell it; if it has a pungent smell between cut grass and onion, it's time to harvest.
• Roll the hop next to your ear; if it makes a cricket sound, it's ready for harvest.

Once harvested, hops can either be used fresh in your brew or dried. Drying shouldn't last more than three days to prevent oxidation and isomerisation. You can speed up the process by placing the hops in the oven, checking on them every 20 minutes, but the heat should never exceed 140°F. Alternatively, you can use a drying screen and landscape fabric to keep them in the dark, fluffing the hops occasionally to ensure even drying.

Common Pests and Diseases

While growing your own hops can be rewarding, it's important to be aware of potential pests and diseases that can affect your crop. Some common issues include downy mildew, powdery mildew, Verticillium wilt, hop stunt viroid, hop aphids, and spider mites. Preventative measures and constant monitoring will help prevent any devastating outbreaks.

Brewing Your Own Beer

Now for the fun part—brewing your own beer with your freshly harvested hops! The amount of hops you'll need will depend on the style of beer you're making and your personal preferences. Remember that hops are poisonous to dogs, so keep them safely out of reach.

Happy brewing!

Frequently asked questions