Two people raising a glass of beer

Dorking Brewery 101: Understanding Hops

It’s a buzzword that beer enthusiasts worldwide revert to when describing a beer. Hearing “It’s very hoppy” in a pub is on everyone’s bingo card. But what does that mean exactly? And what separates hops from malt and yeast? In our brand new ‘Dorking Brewery 101’ series, we will explore exactly what these ingredients do to beer and how they impact flavour. 


Here at Dorking Brewery, we're passionate about brewing top-quality beers, which starts with an unwavering commitment to the finest ingredients; and when it comes to defining a beer's character, few ingredients are as crucial as hops. 


These incredible green buds are key in any brewer’s arsenal, as they lend bitterness, aroma, and a whole spectrum of flavour to our beloved brews.


In today’s blog post, we will be exploring the fascinating history of hops, unravelling their complex chemistry, and discovering how different varieties contribute to the unique personalities of your favourite Dorking Brewery beers. So, let’s hop to it and become true hop aficionados!

Hops: A Botanical Primer

We’ll start with the basics. What exactly are these magical little things we call hops? In botanical terms, hops are simply cone-shaped flowers of the female hop plant, known scientifically as Humulus lupulus. The common hop is a climbing vine, and a member of the Cannabaceae family, colloquially known as the hemp family!


Hops were initially prized for a more practical purpose: preservation. Back then, brewers faced the constant challenge of keeping their beer from spoiling. With their natural antibacterial properties, hops helped to extend the life of beer and allowed for it to be transported greater distances. This gradually led to hops replacing other flavouring agents, like the "gruit" herb mixture, commonly used in medieval Europe. Gruit was quickly kicked to the side as it was both more expensive and worse at keeping the beer stable.


Looking under the bonnet of the hop, each cone is made up of several key components:


  • Bracts: This is the leafy, protective structure that encases the hop. While they don't contribute much to flavour, they protect the precious cargo inside.
  • Lupulin glands: These tiny, yellow glands located at the base of the bracts are the show's real stars. They contain the resins and essential oils responsible for the bitterness, aroma, and flavour we associate with hops.

Hop Chemistry 101

Now, let's delve a little deeper into the science behind these green wonders. The diverse flavours and aromas we experience in beer are largely due to the complex chemical compounds in those lupulin glands we mentioned earlier - and as you might guess, every variety of hop is different (there are around 147 different varieties of hops from around the world!).   

Alpha Acids: The Bittering Agents

Alpha acids, like humulone and cohumulone, are isomerised (this means that during the boil, their chemical structure changes and contributes to the brew's flavour and bitterness).  


If you have ever heard of IBUs, then you will know that it stands for International Bitterness Units, which is the standard measurement for quantifying a beer's bitterness. The higher the IBU, the more bitter the beer. So, your palate-puckering Imperial IPA will have a much higher IBU than a smooth, malty stout.  

Beta Acids: Bitterness, Aroma, and Stability

While not as prominent as alpha acids, beta acids also contribute to bitterness and aroma. They also play a crucial role in a beer's stability, acting as natural preservatives and helping to prevent spoilage. Think of them as the ingredient that works behind the scenes to keep your beer fresh and delicious. Without them, life would be a lot harder.

Essential Oils: The Aromatic Powerhouses

Essential oils provide an incredible range of aromas. This is where you get them hits of citrusy grapefruit, piney resin, floral lavender, and even earthy spice. Two examples of the key essential oils found in hops include:  


  • Myrcene: This is the most abundant oil in many hop varieties, often contributing herbaceous, earthy, and sometimes fruity aromas.  
  • Humulene: Known for its woody, spicy, and sometimes floral notes.  

The unique combination of these essential oils and other compounds creates the complex tapestry of aromas that make each hop variety and each beer so distinctive. So, the next time you sip your favourite Dorking Brewery beer, take a moment to appreciate the intricate chemistry at play!

Hop Varieties and Flavour Profiles

Now that we've mastered the science let's explore the hop varieties themselves. Like grapes for wine, different hop varieties bring unique flavours and aromas to the brewing table. Here's a glimpse into some of the most popular players, both classic and new wave.

Classic Hop Varieties: The Old Guard

These are the stalwarts of the hop world, the varieties that have been shaping beer flavour for generations.


  • Cascade: This American classic bursts with bright, citrusy grapefruit and floral notes, lending a refreshing zest to pale ales and IPAs. Think sunshine in a glass!
  • Centennial: A robust hop with a piney, resinous character and a hint of lemon zest. Perfect for adding a touch of the Pacific Northwest forest to your beer.
  • Saaz: This noble hop from the Czech Republic is known for its spicy, earthy character and subtle floral aroma. It's the defining hop of traditional Bohemian Pilsners.
  • East Kent Goldings: A proper English gentleman, this hop brings delicate floral and earthy notes, lending a refined elegance to classic ales and bitters.

New World Hops: Bold and Adventurous

In recent decades, a wave of new hop varieties has emerged, pushing the boundaries of flavour and aroma.


  • Citra: Prepare for a tropical fruit bomb! Citra explodes with mango, passionfruit, and lychee, making it a favourite for juicy IPAs and pale ales.
  • Mosaic: This complex hop is a master of disguise, offering a captivating blend of berry, tropical fruit, and earthy notes. It's like a flavour puzzle in every pint.
  • Nelson Sauvin: Hailing from New Zealand, this unique hop is renowned for its distinctive white wine grape and gooseberry character, adding a sophisticated twist to pale ales and lagers.

At Dorking Brewery, we carefully select hops from different regions and varieties to create a diverse range of beers, each with its distinct personality. So, next time you crack open a can of Dorking Brewery beer, don’t forget to think about the process!


If you’d like to explore more varieties of hops, check out Hoplist; it’s a great way to learn about them.

Hops in the Brewing Process

We know that hops don’t just magically appear in beer, so when is their time to shine in the brewing process? Well, they're introduced at specific stages during brewing to maximise their impact on the final product. It’s a carefully choreographed dance, with each hop playing a crucial role in what will ultimately be a great beer.

Hop Additions: Timing is Everything

There isn’t a definitive time when hops should be added to the brewing process. Instead, it becomes the brewer's choice, who may want the hops to perform differently, depending on their goals. Here are a few examples:


  • Early: Adding hops early in the boil will impact the beer's overall bitterness. The longer they boil, the more alpha acids are extracted, resulting in a more pronounced bitterness.  
  • Mid: Adding hops mid-boil adds a subtle hop flavour to the beer, complementing the bitterness and adding complexity.
  • Late: Late additions showcase the hop's delicate aromas. The shorter boil time preserves the volatile essential oils, producing a more pronounced aroma in the finished beer.  

Dry-Hopping: Amping Up the Aroma

Dry-hopping is a technique in which hops are added when fermentation starts to slow down. This allows the essential oils to infuse into the beer without being boiled, resulting in an explosion of hop aroma.  

Other Hop Products: Beyond the Cone

While some brewers still use whole hop cones, there are other forms of hops that offer convenience and consistency: 


  • Hop Pellets: These compressed pellets are made from ground hop cones and are easier to store and measure.  
  • Hop Extracts: These concentrated forms of hop compounds precisely control bitterness and aroma.  

Hop Flavours in Dorking Brewery Beers

It is time to bring today’s lesson to a close, and what better way to do so than by exploring some of the finest Dorking Brewery beers?


Stanza XPA is a light and zesty beer that showcases a transatlantic blend of hops. American and British hop varieties like Summit, Pilgrim, Comet, and Jester bring forth citrusy notes that can be drunk all day long. This combination creates a refreshing and complex flavour profile that is both familiar and exciting. 


The use of oats in the brewing process contributes to a smooth and creamy mouthfeel, enhancing the overall drinking experience. This interplay of hop flavours and a silky texture makes Stanza XPA an exceptionally sessionable beer, perfect for enjoying throughout the day.


Meanwhile, our Pilcrow Pale is a vibrant pale ale that celebrates the power of American hops. It features a bold combination of Citra and Chinook, sourced from the renowned Yakima Valley in Washington State. Citra, known for its intense citrus fruit character, delivers notes of grapefruit, lime, and lemon, while Chinook adds a layer of pine and a subtle spice. It’s a captivating aroma and flavour profile that bursts with tropical and citrus fruit notes.


While the hops undoubtedly take centre stage, Pilcrow Pale is carefully balanced by a blend of five different malts. These malts provide a solid backbone for the hop flavours, contributing to the beer's overall complexity and drinkability. This harmonious marriage of malt and hops results in a well-rounded pale ale that is both flavourful and refreshing.


Explore the full range of Dorking Brewery beers and discover the captivating world of hop flavours for yourself. Cheers to the hop, and cheers to great beer!

Final Thoughts

And that’s a wrap – a crash course in the captivating world of hops! These incredible green cones are much more than just bittering agents; they're the artists behind the complex flavours and aromas that define our favourite craft beers. No matter which hop is in a beer, you can be sure that it will bring a unique and distinct personality to the party.

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