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At Charles Faram, we know that mastering every element of the brewing process is key 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, particularly the boil, these acids undergo isomerisation, transforming into iso-alpha acids, which contribute the characteristic bitterness to beer.
The level of alpha acids in a hop variety determines how bitter the beer will be when those hops are used for bittering.
Bitterness Control: The acid level directly affects the bitterness of the finished beer, helping balance malt sweetness and enhancing overall flavour.
Hop Selection: Different hop varieties, and even batches contain varying levels of acids. Brewers select hops based on desired bitterness intensity.
Brewing Consistency: Knowing the acid percentage allows brewers to calculate exact hopping rates for consistent results batch after batch.
At Charles Faram, we offer a wide range of hop varieties with alpha acid levels tailored for different brewing purposes:
Low alpha acid hops (3-6%) are often used for aroma and flavour additions.
Medium alpha acid hops (6-10%) provide balanced bitterness and aroma.
High alpha acid hops (10% and above) are perfect for bittering and creating bold hop profiles.
Each hop batch comes with a certified alpha acid analysis, ensuring brewers can accurately formulate their recipes.
Bittering Hops: Added early in the boil to maximise isomerisation of alpha acids for bitterness.
Flavour & Aroma Hops: Added later in the boil or during fermentation (dry hopping) where bitterness contribution is minimal.
Hop Extracts: Concentrated alpha acids used for consistent bittering without adding vegetal matter.
Understanding alpha acids helps brewers balance bitterness, aroma, and flavour to craft beers exactly as intended.
Whether you’re brewing traditional English ales or hop-forward IPAs, Charles Faram supplies premium hops with reliable alpha acid profiles backed by expert technical support. Contact us today to discuss your brewing needs and discover our extensive hop catalogue.
