The Little Hop That Could

Hops are a "bine", using their strong stems and stiff hairs to climb.

While some may think of hops as an ingredient that has always been around in the brewing process of beer, but the truth couldn't be more different. Hops are a fairly new addition to the process. Before hops were around, a mixture of herbs and spices called gruit was used. This mixture consisted of such spices like bog myrtle, St. John's wort, coriander, rosemary, yarrow, alecost, along with many others. This mixture of herbs and spices was not only chosen for flavor profile but also for medicinal purposes also. These mixtures were often kept secret (their exact ingredients and measurement) by the Catholic Church. Because of this secrecy, the Protestant movement helped drive the popularity of hops in the brewing process. Using the hops in their process allowed these brewers to get free of the fees and taxes that came with using the gruit. While hops are now quite a popular ingredient in beer, this was not always the case.

Old-World Brewing Illustration

 

When the use of hops first came around, it did not have a lot of appeal with the populous. In fact, Henry VIII once condemned hops as an adulteration and that a law that forbid their use in brewing should be created. Hops did not start out with quite a good reputation. However, they did bring some benefits to the industry that changed the minds of people around the world.

Brewers figured out that their "hopped beer" could stay in storage longer. This became influential in one of the most popular brews in the craft industry, the I.P.A. Standing for Indian Pale Ale, this brew was crafted with a whole lot of hops. This made it last the trip on the trading route from Eastern Europe to India, allowing sailors to have something to drink that would not spoil on the trip. Before this was found, it was generally thought that the stronger  (higher alcohol) the beer was the longer that it took before it spoiled. Now, sailors could have a drink that wouldn't get them drunk so quickly or spoil on the ride. The beer could be a lower alcohol content and keep the whole trip. The chemical make-up of the hop really allowed for a whole new thinking in the brewing industry.

Hops, while adding the preservative properties to beer, also added flavors and aromas to beer that made it much more different from gruit. These two additions come from the resins (called lupulin) that are produced on the leaves of the hops. There are two types of resins: alpha and beta. The alpha and beta resins give the beer it's flavor and aroma. These impart the "hop character" that beers have. 

As well as adding flavor and shelf longevity, hops also made it so that beer held a proper "head retention." The head of a beer is really where one gets the aroma that the beer gives off. This is the first impression of a beer that someone will have. The head also has eye appeal, often times lending itself to being a quality beer if it has and holds a proper head.

The head of the beer captures the aromas.

Going from being the hated new kid to one of the most prominent ingredients in a beverage that is a global commodity, hops are now an essential to any beer. Depending when they are added to the brew, they can add flavor, aroma, or both. Different hop varieties bring their own characteristics to the table, allowing today's brewers to experiment with an age-long formula. It is all in part to hops that we are now able to enjoy such a tasty beverage. Whether you are a hop-head and love the really hoppy brews, or not, you cannot like beer and not like hops. After all, where would beer be today without hops?

Have a hoppy beer that you enjoy? We would love to hear what it is!

Why you should drink green beer!

Two of the fastest growing niche markets within the craft beer segment are ciders and organic beers. This article will help you to understand the fundamentals of organic beer. It will also inform you as to why you should care about this important section of the beer market. To start things off, everyone is excited by profits and growth!

In 2009, the craft beer industry grew 7.2%, and another 11% in 2010. In addition, the number of breweries in the United States exploded to 1,759, a number which has not been seen since the late 1800s (98% are craft brewers). With so much variety in the craft beer market, the consumer is doing more research on their favorite beverage and becoming more aware of what they are purchasing. Between 2003 and 2009, organic beer sales boomed from $9 million to $41 million, according to Sustainable Business Oregon. This leap indicates a growing population of people who want to contribute to the green movement for one reason or another.

Craft Beers

Organic farmlands are better for the earth than conventional farms, requiring 50% less energy to maintain. Organic farmlands also absorb and store carbon dioxide, thereby reducing greenhouse gasses. Before the 19th century all beer was organic, we CAN turn back the clock and get chemical fertilizers, pesticides and toxins out of our food supply. With the increased demand for organic foods and beverages, more conventional  farms will convert to organic farms. If every beer drinker raises a glass of organic beer, we could really make a difference!

The EPA attributes 70% of the pollution in rivers and streams to the methods of conventional farming.

Not all beers labeled with the word "organic" are equal. There are three specific levels of organic certification. Beer that is labeled as "100% Organic" must contain only organically produced ingredients and processed with only organic processing aids. When beer is labeled "Organic" it must contain 95%-100% organically produced ingredients. Finally, when a beer is labeled "Made with Organic Ingredients" it must contain at least 70% organically produced ingredients. Armed with this knowledge, you can decide if you want to help take the organic beer movement to the next level.

Homebrewers can purchase their own organic ingredients for beer making. Brewing with Breiss (www.brewingwithbreiss.com/Products/Organics.html) offers a selection of organic malts, in 1990 the company was recognized as the "first malting company in the United States to become certified organic." This is a great opportunity for homebrewers to branch into an expanding segment of the craft beer segment and experiment with organic brews. You could use Peak Organic or Wolaver's as examples.

Wolaver's and Peak Organic logos - look for these brands at the store!

The North American Organic Brewers Festival (www.naobf.org)  goes beyond in promoting the earth-friendly variety of beer. For their event in June of 2011, their mission was to have less than 100 pounds of trash at the end of their beer festival. This festival featured dozens of different organic beers and live music. Other highlights of the festival included reusable cornstarch cups, compostable flatware and plates, reusable event signage, and electricity from bio-diesel and solar generators.

With organic beers typically costing the same or a similar amount of money as craft beers, the incentive of doing something good for the environment and the body compels people to try these beverages. Beer drinkers are a diverse group of people, and there will continue to be trends in the beer market that follow our evolving societal and world views.

What organic beers have you tried? How do you feel about the organic beer segment? Let us know below!

Stay Safe this Holiday

At this time, we would like to wish you and your family a joyous Holiday Season. We would also like to remind you to drink responsibly. If you do drink, make sure to have a safe way of getting home, not driving drunk. If you choose to drive drunk, aside from it being against the law, you could severely hurt or even kill someone, let alone yourself. So please, don't take the risk. Be safe and responsible this Holiday Season. Have a designated driver or call a cab. Miller Lite offers a great FREE application available on the iPhone App Store and Blackberry App World. Take them time to get it today. Thank you.

The Taxifinder is a free app available for download now.