7-7 FB Idaho Hops

 Some facts about hops. I’m David Sparks. Back in a minute. My wife enjoys the occasional sip of wine and thinks I’m not very sophisticated because I’m a beer drinker, so I thought I’d pass along a few facts about hops which are very high-brow in my opinion. The hop plant is a vigorous climbing herbaceous perennial and is part of the family Cannabaceae, which also includes the genus Cannabis (hemp). The only significant commercial use of hops is in brewing. Hops are climbing bines (not vines) that are typically grown on strings leading to wires 14 feet above ground. Of the four main ingredients of beer (malt, hops, yeast and water), hops contribute two aspects of beer flavor, the characteristic sharp bitterness and hop aroma.

 Here’s where the high-brow comes in. Hops can grow in a number of climates, but the aspect of primary interest to the brewer, alpha acid production, is triggered by a shift in day length from about 16 to 14 hours. This only occurs at latitudes far removed from the Equator. Hops are grown commercially in Australia, Germany China, Japan and the Pacific Northwest including Idaho.

 Sadly, Idaho hop grower, Mike Gooding says that brewer technology is working against hop producers. “These brewers have figured out a way to use less hops.”But Mike is undeterred and has figured out a solution. “Even my non beer drinking friends, I say it doesn’t bother me one bit that you don’t drink beer, all you got to do is buy it and pour it out.”