Brewer’s Gold is a popular bittering hop that imparts a fruity blackcurrant aroma and spicy flavor. It is grown in Germany and the United States.
The variety was bred by Wye College in England and was developed from the Wild Manitoba BB1 seedling which was selected by Professor Ernest Salmon.
Origin and history
When breeding hops, brewers would inevitably select plants that were superior to others in some aspect of their growth, flavor or aroma. This would give rise to different varieties that were specifically grown in a particular area.
This practice produced some traditional varieties known by their production areas, such as Kent Goldings in East Kent or Tettnang in Germany. It also facilitated the creation of new varieties which were improved versions of these favoured hops.
One of these traditional varieties was Brewer’s Gold, which was bred in 1919 by Ernest Stanley Salmon at Wye College, England. It was derived from a wild hop sourced from the Pembina Valley in Manitoba.
Characteristics and flavor profile
Brewer’s Gold hops have a wide range of aroma and flavor attributes. They may be citrusy, piney, floral, herbal or other.
They can also be fruity, berry, tropical or stone fruity. They are typically low to moderately bitter, and can differ significantly from measured IBU levels.
These beers are brewed with fresh, undried or freshly kilned hops. The hops should be added no more than 72 hours after they are harvested to maximize the bright, fresh-hop character.
They should be well attenuated and have a light, crisp body. They are often bottle conditioned to add some yeast and alcohol flavor.
Brewing uses
Brewer’s Gold hops are used to impart a pleasant fruity, spicy and blackcurrant aroma to beers. They also contribute a tough, biting bitterness.
This is a bittering variety that can be used in a wide range of beer styles, including Stout, Dark Ale, Belgian Ale and English Ale. It can be paired with other hops to create unique beer profiles.
One of the earliest high alpha hops, developed in 1919 by Wye College in England from a wild Manitoban female crossed with an English male. Brewer’s Gold was a major contributor to the development of modern super-alpha hops like Galena and Nugget.
It is a low-cohumulone American Fuggle descendant. It is a strong “catty” bittering hop with a fairly high alpha acid content, but a low percentage of cohumulone.
Pairing of $ prompt with different beer styles
While this homage to a Canadian wildflower has been around since 1919, it isn’t often that you see a beer hopped with this particular gem. Brewer’s Gold is an excellent choice for IPAs, APAs, bitters and the occasional barley wine or two. It is not without its kinks, but if you’re lucky enough to have a few spare minutes on your hands and an eye for quality, you’ll be rewarded with some of the best hoppy elixirs this side of the Mississippi. The biggest challenge is finding the right balance of hops to accentuate your beer without detracting from its identity as a beverage worthy of a name.
Availability and cultivation
Brewer’s Gold hops are widely cultivated in the temperate regions of Europe. They are an important ingredient in many popular beer styles, and are also a valuable source of antioxidants.
They are a perennial crop that requires a lot of attention to weed management in the hopyard, and they may be susceptible to nematode disease. Growers should eliminate perennial weeds, brush, and other competitive vegetation from the planting site before starting their hops crop.
They are ready for harvest when they become light green in color, and feel papery to the touch. The lupulin powder inside the cones turns yellow and becomes fragrant.