Video
Hops contain hundreds of components including alpha and beta acids, hydrocarbons, thiols, tannins, enzymes, terpenes, and glycosides. The exact compounds and amounts differ depending on variety and growing conditions. Even with ideal storage (cold and low-oxygen), the ratios shift over time. Some processors isolate and concentrate specific hop compounds so that each can be added to either enhance or minimize a desired attribute. These hop extracts roughly fall into two categories, those primarily intended to add bitterness and those where aromatics are the goal. Learn more about the world of hop extracts from Brew Your Own’s Technical Editor Ashton Lewis.
Join Brew Your Own Magazine’s Technical Editor Ashton Lewis as he demonstrates dip hopping — letting hops soak at about 170 °F (77 °C) for an hour just before fermentation — which has been shown to boost pleasant hop aromas while suppressing or removing unpleasant off-flavors, like myrcene, and aromas that are derived from fermentation.
A fluffy white head of foam is the perfect capper to a great beer. It enhances the appearance and flavor perception too. Make sure your beer looks as good as it tastes
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