Growing Hops with Ease in the UK – A Guide

Growing Hops with Ease in the UK – A Guide
Farmer inspecting hop plants in rows at sunrise, walking through lush green hop garden at golden hour

Growing Hops with Ease in the UK – A Guide

As a passionate pursuit for beer enthusiasts across the UK, learning how to grow hops at home has become an increasingly popular endeavour. Cultivating your own bines, seeing them reach skyward to kiss the sun, can be as rewarding as it is picturesque. Yet, many assume that hop cultivation is left best to the verdant […]

13th December 2023
Vintage botanical illustration of hop garlands and leaves on aged wooden plank background with sepia tones

Are Hops a Grain? Uncover the Truth – Brew Facts

Within the rich and frothy annals of brewing history, the role and essence of ingredients such as hops have been as celebrated as they are debated. The query ‘are hops a grain?’ stems from longstanding confusions and historical misinterpretations. However, in the world of brewing with hops and the broader domain of grains in beer […]

13th December 2023
Expansive hop field with vibrant green plants in organized rows stretching toward forested horizon at sunrise

Are Hops Evergreen? Perennial Growth Explained

Many gardening enthusiasts and brewers often query, “are hops evergreen?” To elucidate, hops, scientifically Humulus lupulus, do not belong to the evergreen family. These perennial hops, with a lifecycle spanning multiple seasons, die back annually in the autumn, yet their robust rhizomatic roots prepare to burst into verdancy with each spring arrival. Throughout the UK, […]

13th December 2023
Hop plants with flowering cones growing in a mountain valley landscape at sunrise or sunset

Are Hops Related to Weed? Cannabaceae Family Facts

Delving into the botanic mysteries of the Cannabaceae family unveils a tantalising link between two seemingly distinct entities: hops and cannabis. Rooted deeply in the annals of natural history, their botanical relationship has fascinated researchers and enthusiasts alike. It is here, nestled within the genetic annals of history, some 25 million years post-dinosaurs, that we […]

13th December 2023
Green hop cones with serrated leaves on flowering hop plant branches against blurred background

Are Hops Flowers Essential to Brewing Beer?

Steeped in tradition and shrouded in centuries of craft history, the role of hops flowers for beer is undeniably at the heart of the brewing industry. To the casual observer, hops may merely signify a routine ingredient, yet in the realm of ale crafting, these diminutive blossoms wield an unparalleled influence. Utilising a tapestry of […]

13th December 2023
Fresh and dried hop flowers clustered together, displaying green and brown papery cone-shaped buds used in beer brewing

Are Hops Wheat? Unraveling Beer Ingredients

The quintessential British pint is a result of a symphony of ingredients, each playing its part to create the rich tapestry of ales, lagers, and stouts that form the UK’s beer heritage. Central to this artisanal craft are the staples of hops and wheat, often mistakenly intertwined yet distinct in their contributions to the art […]

13th December 2023
Gluetfre beer bottle on wooden surface surrounded by hop plants at sunset with forest background

Are Hops Gluten-Free? UK’s Guide to Brewing Allergens

As the craft beer revolution continues to burgeon in the UK, an increasing number of consumers are seeking information on gluten-free options due to health concerns or dietary preferences. This includes the constituent ingredients involved in brewing, notably the question: are hops gluten free? These verdant little flowers, instrumental in bestowing beer with its characteristic […]

13th December 2023
Hop cones hanging from green leafy bines in bright sunlight, showing detailed cone structure and foliage

Are Hops a Fruit? Discover Their True Nature

When one ponders the essential ingredients that make a pint of ale so delightfully aromatic and robust in flavour, hops undoubtedly come to mind. Yet this brings us to a common query: are hops a fruit? While often associated with the brewing arts, the hops fruit classification misleads many. In truth, they stem from the […]

13th December 2023
Fresh green hop flowers and leaves displayed in dense clusters, commonly used in beer brewing

Health Benefits of Hops: Are They Good for You?

When considering the healthful attributes of myriad plants, Humulus lupulus, more commonly recognised as hops, often springs to mind, particularly within the sphere of brewing. Yet, the potential advantages of this plant extend far beyond its quintessential role in crafting beer. Delving into the question, “Are hops good for you?”, we uncover an array of […]

13th December 2023
Hop plants growing on wooden trellis in sunny farm field with forested mountains in background

Are Hops Perennial? UK Garden Growth Guide

Crucial to the centuries-old brewing tradition, perennial hops, known scientifically as Humulus lupulus, stand as a testament to the resilience and vitality embedded within the UK’s horticultural heritage. The hop plants’ lifespan defies the transient, flaunting an impressive span that can extend over multiple decades when fostered with attentive care. This hallmark of British brewing […]

13th December 2023