Evaluation of Czech Hops Harvested in 2014 – Part I: Contents of α- and β-Bitter Acids

Abstract

The contents of α- and β- bitter acids from hops harvested in the Czech Republic in 2014 have been evaluated. Samples originated from all growing areas – Žatec, Úštěk and Tršice (77.3%, 10.6% and 12.1% of the hop garden areas in the Czech Republic). The main varieties, Saaz (Žatecký poloraný červeňák, ŽPČ), Sládek, Premiant and Agnus were cultivated on 87.2%, 6.0%, 4.2% and 0.9% of the harvest areas respectively. Samples were analyzed in accordance with the Analytica EBC, method 7.7 (HPLC), all results are given in weight% in dry matter. The average value of α-bitter acids in the Saaz hops was 0.38% (9.2% rel.) and 0.66% (18,3% rel.) lower when compared to the year 2013 and to the average of the 21 years respectively. The content of β-bitter acids was 0.76% (16.0% rel.) higher when compared to the year 2013 and 0.37% (7.9% rel.) lower to the long-term average. The content of α-bitter acids in the Sládek hops was 0.37% (6.0% rel.) and 0.95% (14.0% rel.) lower when compared to the harvest in 2013 and to the average of the 11 years respectively. The content of α-bitter acids in the Premiant hops was in 1.13% (13.5% rel.) and 1.97% (21.4% rel.) lower when compared to the harvest in 2013 and to the average of the last 11 years. The content of α-bitter acids in the Agnus hops was 1.47% (13.2% rel.) and 1.74% (15.2% rel.) lower when compared to the harvest in 2013 and to average of last six years.

Keywords

• hop harvest
• Saaz hops
• α-bitter acids
• β-bitter acids