12 Responses to “Hops: the Heart of Beer”

  1. Katherine says:

    I used to hate the taste of hops. Felt like it stayed with me for too long. After trying more and appreciating the balance more, I can’t get enough hops! I’d eat them for breakfast if they went with milk better. Great post! I learned a lot.

    Also, that pic of the week, the big guy swimming in hops, makes me laugh every time I think about it.

  2. Joe F. says:

    I love the hops. I used to think I wanted my beer so thick with its stinky resin that I would be scraping it out of my glass after the last swallow. But you nailed it, the key is balance. Too much of a good thing is not always best. I’ve also recently had the Hop Stoopid from Lagunitas and thought it was a bit much. In fact, for the first time in quite a while I “high-schooled” that beer (couldn’t quite finish it…amateur!).

  3. Mateo says:

    How did you know about my Uncle Eddie? Have you been reading my “mail”? Informative stuff here. Bines . . . who would’ve known? Thanks for the schooling. Thoroughly appreciated and enjoyed.

  4. Lokate says:

    what an interesting read! now i know what to avoid (i’m not a huge fan of bitterness). i really like your writing, it’s fun to read.

  5. David Flaherty says:

    Hi Laurel Kate, thanks for dropping a line and appreciate the kind words. Here’s a Beer Style sheet you might get some jollies out of playing with; tells you the different beer styles and where they fall in Hops Land. Some are actually surprising in terms of how high the IBUs are and you may find some different brews you like
    Click HERE for a chart graph from Brewer’sFriend.com

  6. Merely want to say your article is awesome. The clearness in your post is simply impressive and i can take for granted you are an expert on this subject. Well with your permission allow me to grab your rss feed to keep up to date with future post. Thanks a million and please keep up the strong work

  7. Hi Quintin, thanks for reading and for dropping a line. Your kind words are much appreciated. All the best in the New Year and may it be filled with cornucopias of fresh hops…

  8. Matt Sweeny says:

    “…Some say beer has no terroir, or sense of distinct heritage…”

    Hops for sure effect the taste of each beer but I would also agree that water also plays a huge role in a beer’s uniqueness. Look at Guiness and Bass. The brewing recipes for these beers include the use of water “agents” which mimic water hardness or softness, etc. found in the water where these beers originated (England and Ireland).

    Cheers

  9. Great point, Matt. It kind of blows my mind that I can recreate the famous water from Burton upon Trent in my apartment in Queens. Now if I can just remotely imitate my British mother-in-law’s Shepard’s Pie recipe, I’ll be the talk of the town.

  10. We really liked your writing, keep at it for us all!

  11. Hops: The Heart of Beer http://ow.ly/1ZmM6 #craftbeer

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