USA 
Canada 
EU 
UK 
Rest of the World 
At Charles Faram, we understand that mastering every element of the brewing process is essential to crafting exceptional beer. One of the most important components for brewers to understand is alpha acids. The compounds in hops responsible for imparting bitterness and balancing the sweetness of malt.
Alpha acids are naturally occurring compounds found in the lupulin glands of hop cones. During the brewing process—especially during the boil—these acids undergo isomerization, transforming into iso-alpha acids, which give beer its characteristic bitterness.
The amount of alpha acids in a hop variety determines how bitter the beer will be when those hops are used for bittering.
Bitterness Control – Alpha acid levels directly affect a beer’s bitterness, helping balance malt sweetness and enhance overall flavor.
Hop Selection – Different hop varieties and batches contain different alpha acid levels, allowing brewers to choose hops based on the intensity of bitterness they want.
Brewing Consistency – Knowing the alpha acid percentage makes it possible to calculate precise hopping rates for consistent results, batch after batch.
At Charles Faram, we offer a wide range of hop varieties with alpha acid profiles suited to different brewing goals:
Low alpha acid hops (3–6%) – Typically used for aroma and flavor additions.
Medium alpha acid hops (6–10%) – Provide a balanced contribution of bitterness and aroma.
High alpha acid hops (10% and above) – Ideal for bittering and crafting bold hop-forward beers.
Every hop batch we supply includes a certified alpha acid analysis, so brewers can formulate recipes with confidence and accuracy.
Bittering Hops – Added early in the boil to maximize the isomerization of alpha acids and achieve desired bitterness.
Flavor & Aroma Hops – Added late in the boil or during dry hopping, where they contribute little bitterness but strong aroma and flavor.
Hop Extracts – Concentrated alpha acids used for reliable bittering without adding vegetal matter to the wort.
Understanding how alpha acids work empowers brewers to fine-tune bitterness, aroma, and flavor—so every beer turns out just as intended.
Whether you’re brewing a classic English ale or a hop-forward American IPA, Charles Faram supplies high-quality hops with dependable alpha acid profiles—backed by expert technical guidance. Contact us today to discuss your brewing needs and explore our comprehensive hop catalog.
