Aging of Hops and Their Effects on India Pale Ale Flavor

Abstract

In this experiment, two hops varieties Simcoe and Saaz were selected as the research objects to explore the influence of hops on beer flavor after aging treatment under different conditions. The hops obtained under five different aging conditions were subjected to fermentation experiments. The aroma characteristics of hop oil, beer samples at different brewing stages and finished beer were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The results showed that, except caryophyllene oxide (0.21 μ g/L and 0.15 μg/L), the contents of other aroma compounds decreased. The results of expert sensory evaluation and consumer evaluation survey were combined with the experimental data for analysis. We found that moderate aging may make beer more drinkable. Among them, hops represented by Simcoe with more aroma substances will lose their original aroma after aging. However, hops with higher humulus content represented by Saaz became softer after moderate aging treatment.