What is a Hop?

The hop is a climbing vine which grows as separate male and female plants, with the latter producing the conical green flowers that are used in brewing. These flowers are harvested in autumn when their oils are at their most aromatic, and are delivered to home brewers in a number of forms, most commonly freshly vacuum packed or pressed into pellets. Growing your own hops is relatively easy – simply plant the rhizomes before they begin their spring growth, and give them something tall to ramble over. They’re also a fairly common sight growing wild in hedgerows.