Hop

The Latin name for hops is humulus and comes from the word humus or soil, while lupulus means little wolf. The reason it is named like this may be due to the fact that it exhausts the soil when growing; its appetite resembles that of the wolf. Hops have stems that curl along a trellis or tree and can reach up to ten meters in height. It grows wild in wetlands.

Hops is a dioecious plant, i.e. it produces plants with either male or female flowers. Only the female inflorescences cones are collected. When mature, the glands at the base of the bracts of unpollinated flowers form a yellowish, resinous powder called lupulin, which is rich in aromatic compounds. This is what gives the characteristic bitterness and aroma to beer.

Germany is the largest producer of hops growing nearly forty thousand tons per year, almost 30% of the world’s production. The United States, meanwhile, produces about twenty-eight thousand tons.

In Quebec, hop crops have expanded greatly since the mid-2000s due to the growing interest of craft beer enthusiasts. Some thirty different hops growers are currently active and microbreweries are a multiplying trend to the delight of many Quebeckers. It is indeed now possible to tour the Grand Dukes region by wandering around the different areas of Quebec in search of new flavours: mellow, malted grilled, hoppy or robust. This new industry is very timely, as it contributes to reviving the economy of some small towns by attracting new tourists.