Page 58 - Bord Bia

CONTENTS

STAGE 1

c) Product Development
Continued

Hops are lowers from the hop plant, and are added for fragrance and an attractive bitter taste to
counter the richness of the malted barley in beer. They bring a lot of character and distinctive lavours
to beer and have been grown in Ireland in the past but no commercial-scale sources are currently
available on the island. Climate must be right for hops to be properly cultivated and the top 5 hop
growing countries are: Germany, USA, England, the Czech Republic and New Zealand.

There are many hop varieties to choose from.
Here are the primary sources and types of hops available:

German Hops:
Varieties include Hallertau, Hersbrucker, Tettnang and Spalt. These hops are also known as ‘Noble
Hops’ thanks to their mild bittering lavors and nice aromas.

American Hops:
These generally provide a bitterness that is aggressive and citric, along with grassy loral aromas.

English Hops:
Typically mild to moderate in their bittering and aroma qualities. The best known include East Kent or
Kentish Goldings. Other common varieties are Fuggle, Northern Brewer, and Styrian Golding.

Czech Hops:
Saaz hops is the premier hop used in the Bohemian style Czech Pilsner beer and have very loral
qualities. Also known as Zatec Hops as they were cultivated near that Czech town.

New Zealand Hops
A newcomer to the market with very aromatic qualities and tropical fruit tastes..

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