Lesson 1 - Introduction to Hops
This lesson is an introduction to the Hops Unit. It offers you the opportunity to ensure that you have the necessary knowledge required to study the unit successfully. Also included is a brief overview of the topics that you will learn.
What You Should Know Before Starting this Unit
Whatever your background, when starting each unit, it is important that you feel comfortable with your current understanding of the basic brewing concepts. To help you do this, please review the table below and check that you have the knowledge required.
Table: What is covered in this unit and what you should already know
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What’s covered |
What you should already be able to do |
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The nature and origins of hops, how they are bred, cultivated and harvested |
Identify the key hop components and their use in brewing |
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Describe the main differences between hop varieties |
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Isomerisation during wort boiling |
Describe what hop isomerisation is and what affects it |
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Hop products |
Give an overview of the different hop products available. |
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Describe the basic differences between hop pellets, extracts and isomerised products |
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Hop calculations |
Define the International Bitterness Unit |
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Calculate a basic hop additions |
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Calculate hop utilisation |
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Explain what affects hop utilisation |
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Hop additions |
Identify the points in the brewing process at which hops are added their effect on beer |
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Hop chemistry |
Describe the properties of resins and essential oils |