Hops are the green cone-shaped flowers, or “inflorescence,” of the Humulus lupulus plant. They’re a climbing perennial with a distinct jackpot for craft brewers. Hidden inside each cone are tiny yellow pods or glands called lupulin—the source of bitterness, aroma, and flavor in beer.

What hops go with what beer?

Beer StyleHop SuggestionsBelgian Strong AlePerle, Perle (US)BitterAdmiral, Amarillo, Apolon, Banner, Bramling, Brewer’s Gold, Calicross, Crystal, Eroica, Fuggle, Golding (US), Marynka, Mathon, Phoenix, Target, Tettnanger, Tettnanger (US)Blonde AleMagnum, Northdown, Strisselspalter, Tettnanger (US), Ultra

How do you match hops?

Fruit pairs well with grass. Orange pairs well with herbal notes. Pine pairs well with the woodsy mint of Northern Brewer. Complex, complementing flavors can provide your beers with a more sophisticated flavor profile.