The Essential Oil of Hops: Hop Aroma and Flavor in Hops and Beer
The female flower of the hop plant (Humulus Lupulus) has long been a friend to beer brewers around the world. Depending on the style of beer, hops can add balance to the finished product through bitterness, flavor, and aroma. It is well documented how bitterness is obtained in the finished product via the isomerization of alpha acids, but investigations into the chemistry and utilization of hop essential oils for beer flavor and aroma have, in general, failed to elucidate the complex processes involved. In this article I begin with some background on hops and their use in brewing beer, and then narrow the focus to examine the essential oil of hops. I first discuss the chemistry and composition of hop oil in hops and beer, and then quickly turn to the practical by discussing how to evaluate and analyze hops for the aromatic quality of hop essential oil. I conclude with some methods to obtain and protect hop flavor and aroma in your finished beer, which I think is the most important take home message of all.
Full article is located at...http://realbeer.com/hops/aroma.html
