Buying Beer Without Hops: Exploring Unique Options

If you're looking to buy beer without hops, you may be out of luck if you're heading to your local grocery store or brewery. However, some modern brewers in mainland USA and Europe are revisiting ancient brewing methods, creating otherworldly beers that offer complex, intriguing flavor profiles without hops.

In the US, you can try the Samuel Adams Double Bock, which is made with several herbs and spices such as bay leaves, coriander, and black tea as alternatives to hops. It's pleasantly aromatic with hints of caramel, licorice, and a malty backend.

If you're in Belgium, you can try the Trappist Quadrupel Belgian Ale, Westvleteren 12, which is ranked 1st on BeerAdvocate with a score of 100 and can only be bought at the monastery Saint-Sixtus Abbey in Westvleteren, Belgium, by appointment or at the bar across the road.

Other hop-free beers include Marigold from Scratch Brewing Company, Kvasir from Dogfish Head Brewing Company, and Posca Rustica from Brasserie Dupont.

Gruit beers

Today, gruit beers are making a comeback, with craft brewers embracing the style and experimenting with different herbs, roots, and spices. These beers offer a range of tastes, flavours, and psychotropic qualities that set them apart from traditional hopped beers.

If you're interested in trying gruit beers, you can explore online retailers such as BeerAdvocate, GotoLiquorStore, and GruitAle, which offer a variety of gruit beers for purchase. You can also check your local craft beer scene, as some bars with many taps may have gruit beers available for tasting.

Sour beers

The Art of Sour Beers

Traditionally, sour beers relied solely on these microorganisms to create their signature tartness. However, modern brewers have introduced hops into the mix, creating a new dimension of flavours and aromas. By combining the right strains of hops with specific souring agents, brewers can create an array of flavour profiles, from earthy and grassy notes to tropical fruit and citrus aromas.

The Role of Hops in Sour Beers

Hops, known for their bittering qualities in traditional beers, take on a different role in sour beers. In sour beers, the primary purpose of hops is to contribute to the aroma and flavour without adding excessive bitterness. This is achieved by using low alpha-acid hop varieties and adding them late in the brewing process, such as during dry hopping or after fermentation.

The addition of hops to sour beers is a delicate balancing act. While hops can enhance the complexity of flavours, too much bitterness can clash with the acidity of the sour beer. As a result, brewers must carefully select hop varieties and adjust their brewing techniques to find the perfect harmony between sourness and bitterness.

Tips for Brewing Sour Beers with Hops

When brewing sour beers with hops, there are several key considerations to keep in mind:

• Hop Variety: Opt for low alpha-acid hop varieties, such as noble hops or newer American varieties like Simcoe, Amarillo, or Citra. These hops provide aromatic qualities without overwhelming bitterness.
• Timing: Add hops late in the brewing process, such as during dry hopping or after primary fermentation. This helps preserve the delicate hop aromas and flavours.
• Souring Agents: Choose the right souring agents, such as Lactobacillus or Pediococcus, that can coexist with hops. Some souring bacteria, like Lactobacillus, are sensitive to hops, so timing their addition is crucial.
• Aging: Traditional sour beers require substantial aging, but hops can fade quickly. Consider speeding up the souring and fermentation process or adding hops closer to serving time to preserve their aromatic qualities.
• Experimentation: Sour beers with hops are a relatively new style, so experimentation is key. Play around with different hop varieties, souring agents, and brewing techniques to find your perfect balance of flavours.

In conclusion, sour beers with hops offer a unique and intriguing drinking experience. By combining the tartness of souring agents with the aromatic qualities of hops, brewers can create complex and refreshing beverages. While it requires a delicate balance and careful selection of ingredients, the result is a beer that challenges traditional flavour profiles and delights the senses. So, if you're looking for something different to tickle your taste buds, why not give sour beers with hops a try?

Scotch ales

The flavour profile of Scotch ales is distinct, with a confluence of malt character, submissive hops and a subdued yeast strain. They are often described as having bold toffee flavours, a hint of smoke, and caramelised sugar. Scotch ales are typically brewed with a lagering technique, using a colder fermentation temperature than usual.

The base malt for a Scotch ale is pale ale malt, with varying amounts of pale caramel malt and unmalted roasted barley added to the mash. Some brewers also add peat-smoked malts, influenced by the peaty character of Scotch whiskies, although this is not considered traditional. The hops used in Scotch ales are typically English varieties with delicate, tea-like floral characters, such as East Kent Goldings, Fuggles, or Admiral.

The colour of Scotch ales ranges from amber to light brown to deep mahogany. They are top-fermented and have a low level of fruity esters due to the cool Scottish climate. Bitterness levels vary but are usually between 15-25 IBU, reflecting the fact that hops have never been a focal point of beers brewed in Scotland.

Some well-known examples of Scotch ales include:

• Wee Heavy and Barrel-Aged Wee Heavy by AleSmith Brewing Co.
• Old Chub by Oskar Blues Brewery
• V.S.O. Gravedigger by Revolution Brewing
• Old World by Tree House Brewing Company
• Cold Smoke by KettleHouse Brewing Company
• 90/~ Wee Heavy by Belhaven Brewery
• McEwan’s Scotch Ale by Eagle Brewery
• Skull Splitter by Orkney Brewery

Wheat beers

American wheat beer, made with lager or ale yeast, tends to be slightly hoppier than German-style wheat beers. It is light, drinkable, and pairs well with a variety of foods. Popular brands of wheat beer, both American and German, can be found in stores, including Blue Moon Belgian White, Franziskaner Hefe-Weisse, Hoegaarden White Ale, and Weihenstephan Hefeweissbier.

Hard cider

If you're looking for a beer without hops, hard cider is a great option. Hard cider is a fermented beverage made from apples that has a crisp, refreshing taste. While most hard ciders do not contain hops, it's always a good idea to check the ingredients list to be sure.

You can find hard cider at many liquor and beer stores, as well as some grocery stores. If you're looking to buy hard cider online, there are several retailers that offer a wide variety of options. For example, CraftShack offers a range of ciders, including the Fort Point Super Natural Cider, which is a dry cider inspired by the flavour and vibe of a crisp glass of rosé. Half Time also offers a selection of delicious ciders that can be shipped right to your door.

When choosing a hard cider, you'll find a range of options in terms of flavour, sweetness, and alcohol content. Some ciders are sweet and fruity, while others are dry and crisp. You can also find ciders with added flavours, such as rosé or other fruits. Be sure to check the alcohol content, as it can vary significantly between different ciders.

In terms of serving and enjoying hard cider, it's typically served chilled in a glass. Some people prefer to drink it straight from the bottle, especially at casual gatherings or outdoor events. Hard cider can be enjoyed on its own or paired with food. It goes well with a variety of dishes, including cheese, charcuterie, and spicy foods.

So, if you're looking for a hop-free beverage, hard cider is a fantastic choice. With its refreshing taste and wide availability, it's a great option for those looking to avoid the bitter flavour of hops.

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