Hops are generally categorized into four main areas based on their purpose in brewing:
- Bittering Hops – are high in alpha acids and contribute to the bitterness and sweetness of malt.
- Aroma Hops – are rich in essential oils and enhance the beer’s aroma and flavour.
- Dual-Purpose Hops – are a combination of both bittering and aroma qualities.
- Flavouring Hops - are chosen for their ability to enhance the aroma and taste and not add bitterness.
Hops are graded based on a few factors that determine their quality, potential for brewing, and consistency. The grading process typically looks at:
- Alpha Acid Content – Determines the bitterness potential of the hops.
- Essential Oil Composition – Influences aroma and flavour characteristics.
- Moisture Content – Ensures proper storage and longevity.
- Physical Appearance – Includes colour, cone integrity, and absence of defects.
- Crop Year & Origin – Freshness and regional variations affect hop quality.
- Processing Type – Whole cone, pelletized (T90, T45), or extract form.
Dry hopping is primarily used to enhance aroma and flavour, rather than bitterness. However, some high-alpha acid hops—typically used for bittering and can still contribute subtle bitterness when dry-hopped due to oxidized alpha acids called humulinones, which are soluble in beer.
Some common Bittering Hops:
Columbus (CTZ) – Earthy, resinous, and pungent.
Chinook – Piney, spicy, and slightly citrusy.
Magnum – Clean bitterness with mild herbal notes.
Nugget – Woody, herbal, and slightly fruity.
Warrior – Smooth bitterness with mild citrus and pine.
Summit – Strong earthy and onion-like notes.
Some common Aroma Hops:
Cascade – Citrusy, floral, grapefruit.
Centennial – Floral, citrusy, medium intensity.
Chinook – Piney, spicy, grapefruit.
Citra – Tropical, citrusy, peachy.
Columbus – Earthy, herbal, pungent.
Fuggle – Earthy, woody, mild.
Galaxy – Tropical, citrusy, passionfruit.
Goldings – Sweet, floral, mild.
Hallertau Mittelfrüh – Classic noble hop with mild floral and herbal notes.
Saaz – Spicy, herbal, traditional in lagers.
Tettnanger – Balanced floral and herbal character.
Some common Flavouring Hops:
Citra – Bright citrus and tropical fruit.
Mosaic – Complex berry, pine, and citrus.
Galaxy – Passionfruit and peach.
Nelson Sauvin – White wine-like, gooseberry.
El Dorado – Candy-like stone fruit and pear.
Simcoe – Piney, earthy, and fruity.
Ekuanot – Lime, papaya, and herbal notes.
Sabro - coconut, tangerine and tropical fruit
Some common Dual-Purpose Hops:
Cascade – Citrusy, floral, and mild bitterness.
Centennial – Bright citrus and floral notes with moderate bitterness.
Chinook – Piney, spicy, and grapefruit-like.
Citra – Intense tropical fruit and citrus flavors.
Columbus (CTZ) – Earthy, resinous, and pungent.
Galaxy – Passionfruit, peach, and citrus with a strong bitter backbone.
Mosaic – Complex berry, pine, and citrus.
Simcoe – Fruity, earthy, and piney.
I hope this helps you in brewing that special flavoured beer!