Buffalo Rising Online

Jul 28th 2007, 12:21pm By Adam Fix

I know they're out there: the hop fiends. They can't be bothered with the puny pilsners and porters of normal mortals, but instead must feel the bitter kick of a hopped-up monster of a beer. This week's Beer in the City is for you, my hophead friends, as we analyze a few beers of this variety from some of the breweries that will be participating in the Buffalo Brewfest (now under a month away!).

What are hops?

Hops are a bine (differentiated from a vine in that it climbs in a winding motion as opposed to using tendrils), and the flower is used commonly in breweries around the world as a key ingredient. Breweries began using hops in their beers about a thousand years ago because of the balance it provided. Hops keep malts from being overwhelmingly sweet by adding bitterness, and also produce different aromas which can help give a beer a more unique character. Before the introduction of hops, brewers hands were tied a bit more because they couldn't blast their beers full of sweet malts, as is done sometimes today, and get a good result. Consequently, wines, meads, and mixtures thereof were more prominent (see Midas Touch).

What should I try?

There are tons of variations of beers with high hop content. India Pale Ales (IPA) are probably best known for consistently displaying this characteristic, although hop levels vary with each beer. You may be able to get an indication right on the label- look to see if the number of IBU's (international bitterness units) are printed. The higher the number, the more bitter the beer.

Saranac produces a popular IPA using Cascade hops (a common variety used in quality IPA's), which balance out the 5.8% ABV. Buffalo's own Pearl Street Grill & Brewery makes Lake Effect Pale Ale, appropriately named due to the fierce Golding hops, which are imported from the UK.

Victory's Hopdevil Ale is dry-hopped to perfection, using whole domestic flowers to give it a real bite. Dry-hopping a beer involves adding hops (a second time) after the wort and fermentation has taken place, which adds tons of aroma. Hopdevil is therefore a good example of both the flavor and aroma that hops can give a beer. It is a powerful beer from a quality brewery.

Another good example which should be available at Brewfest is a summer seasonal from Southern Tier called Hop Sun. At 36 IBU, it is a good selection for hops rookies. It has a crisp and bitter finish and strong aroma (due to dry-hopping), and features caramel and wheat malts.

What shouldn't I try?

Budweiser, Miller, Coors, and etcetera (I'll give Labatt a pass from this list due to their new headquarters). I shouldn't really have to elaborate here. All the major breweries out there seem to be on a mission to convince beer drinkers that hops are evil. Don't let their propaganda fool you! Hops are a beautiful thing.

When should I try it?

It has to start somewhere

It has to start sometime

What better place than here?

What better time than now?

My apologies to Zack de la Rocha (of Rage Against the Machine) for clearly distorting the message of his lyrics, but it's about time we get pumped up for Brewfest- so get a head start and check out some hopped-up brews today!

Buffalo Brewfest
Saturday, August 25, 1-6 PM
www.buffalobrewfest.com




Photo by Christa Glennie Seychew