Hops

• Hops are a perennial climbing vine grown in cool climates. The female flower clusters are used for brewing. The bitterness from hops balances the sweetness from malt. Brewers have discovered that hops impart their flavor from the region where they are grown, like grapes.

Saaz

• The Saaz hop, from the Czech Republic, is used for Bohemian lagers and pilsners. It is the primary hop used in the famous pilsner beer, Pilsner Urquell.

Spalter

• Spalter is used in traditional German beers from the Spalt region. It is an all-purpose hop that can be used in a variety of beers.

Hallertauer Mittlefrueh and Tettnanger

• Hallertauer Mittlefrueh, a Bavarian hop, is not widely used in modern times due to its susceptibility to disease. Tettnanger, from southern Germany, is not as popular as Saaz or Spalt, but it is used in breweries throughout the world.

Other Uses

• Noble hops (like all hops) have herbal qualities that are believed to relieve anxiety and insomnia. This is due to the chemical, dimethylvinyl carbinol, present in the hops.