Do you love craft beer? If so, then this article is for you! The perfect way to enjoy a delicious craft brew is by pairing it with the right hops. This article will explore 10 of the better types of hops that can be used in crafting your favorite beers. Whether you’re looking for an IPA or something more mellow, there’s a type of hop here for everyone!
What Are Hops?
Hops are a key ingredient in beer, and they play an important role in creating the flavor of your beverage. While hops can come from many types of plants, most typically they’re used to add bitterness and balance out sweet flavors like malt. However, there’s so much more than that! Different types of hops will yield different results when added to your brew – some may be better for certain styles or even specific beers. The best way to know what type you need is by doing research on which ones produce the properties you want (and don’t want) in your favorite drink. If you’ve never experimented with various types before it could take a while to figure out exactly how each one affects your recipe; however once you find out what works and what doesn’t, you’ll be able to make the perfect beer!
The Best Types of Hops
Here’s a list of some of our favorites. We’ve included information on their aromas, flavors, and suggested beers so that you can find your favorite type easily! Maybe you’re looking for something more bitter or sweet – whatever it is we have just the right hop varietal for everyone.
American Fuggle Hops: What do they taste like? If you want an earthy note in your craft brew then this is the one to choose. It has hints of floral and nutty tones which will add richness and depth to any drink but works especially well with IPAs. You should try these out if You’re looking for a little more flavor in your brew.
English Kent Golding Hops: This type is perfect if you’re looking to produce something that’s bright and aromatic with sweet, fruity notes. It goes well with many types of beers including blondes, pale ales & pilsners – but it excels most when paired up with an English Pale Ale or IPA! Give this one a go if You enjoy the smell of flowers filled with sunshine!
German Hallertau Mittelfrüh Hops: This variety yields herbal notes which can provide some bitterness to any recipe; however they also have citrus flavors that will add depth and earthiness as well. They work great in European Lagers (especially Pilsner), Pale Ales, and more. We recommend this type of hop if You want a little something extra in your drink that isn’t too overpowering, but still gives you the perfect hint of flavor!
New Zealand Motueka Hops: Want to add an interesting citrus note to your beer without going over the top with bitterness? Then give these guys a try. This variety is most commonly known for its’ bright lemon & lime notes which will also provide some grassy undertones as well – making it great for just about any style or recipe. It works great in IPAs and Pale ales, so we suggest giving it a shot if You’re looking for something different than traditional hops!
American Mosaic Hops: If there’s one thing we know about this varietal, it’s that they’re absolutely perfect for IPAs. This is because of their aromas and flavors which include blueberry, pineapple & grapefruit notes that will make your brew stand out from the rest! We recommend trying these if You’re looking to add a fruit-forward taste without going overboard on bitterness or sweetness; as well as adding something special and complex to an IPA – but any type of drink could benefit from them too!
American Citra Hops: Just like Mosaic hops, Citra varieties are wonderful when used in brewing IPAs (or anything else); however, these ones have very piny characteristics which also provide some tropical scents such as citrus & passionfruit. If you’re looking for something with a little more bite to it – then give these guys a shot!
American Columbus Hops: Another type that’s great when used in IPAs (or pretty much anything, really), Columbus hops provide some pine & earthy flavors along with herbal notes. They also have slight spice undertones which make them the perfect addition to any recipe, but if you want them spicy without too much bitterness- try pairing this variety up with Munich malt or CaraPils dextrin. We recommend trying these out if You like your drink full of flavor and complex aromas!
Northeast Brewer Hops: The last varietal on our list is one we know many brewers will love because they can be used for a variety of recipes. In fact, they’re perfect when used in IPAs but also provide some flowery notes that can add depth to any beer recipe – making it the ideal choice if you want something versatile! We recommend giving these guys a shot if You’re looking for an earthy or herbal essence with hints of spice and citrus flavors – but really anything could benefit from their unique blend of aromas & tastes!
American Cascade Hops: Another great type that provides both bittering qualities as well as very strong fruity tones; so try them out when brewing your favorite IPA (or Pale Ale) because this particular varietal has everything you need in one package. They work best when paired up with other types like Chinook hops to add a nice citrusy touch as well as some earthiness – but if you want something with both bittering qualities and fruity aromas, this is definitely the way to go!
American Chinook Hops: Last on our list is another great type that will work best when added to your recipe during the boiling process. This varietal has everything from pine & woodsy notes all the way down to spicy undertones that even provide a hint of grapefruit; so it’s perfect for brewing nearly any style or flavor profile. And since they have such strong flavors, we recommend using them in combination with other types like Citra hops because these two varieties really compliment each other nicely! We suggest this one a shot if You’re looking for something with a lot of character that isn’t just one-dimensional.
Nether Goldings Hops: Another type perfect for brewing an IPA or Pale ale (or anything else) is Nether Golding hops; because they provide earthy notes along with hints of citrus fruits like oranges & lemons. But if You want something with more bite, we recommend pairing this varietal up with American Cascade hops because the combination provides spicy undertones as well as some dank flavors that really come to life when added during your boil! We suggest trying these out for a truly complex and unique IPA experience!
Looking After It
Make sure to store your hops in a cool & dry place for up to six months so they stay fresh and maintain their potency. And don’t forget that the sooner you use them after receiving them, the better as well! Just remember: these things are very potent (and useful) – even though they only take up such little space; however, we suggest trying out all of our recommended types because you never know which ones will work best until it’s too late! So make sure to try everything- you won’t regret it!
Conclusion
Although the world of hops may seem like a complicated place to explore, we think it’s actually quite easy. And although finding these types in South Africa might be difficult if you chat with your local beer supplier; they will know exactly where to point you! So make sure to try out all ten varieties and let us know which ones work best for you because there are just so many flavors & aromas that everyone seems better than the next! We hope this blog post was helpful & wish You luck on Your brewing journey – cheers!