GROWING UP HOPS
Hops (Humulus lupulus)
Citrus, wood, spice, floral and tropical are just a few aromas that wake up your senses when you pry open a hops cone revealing its bright yellow essential oils which are dominated by terpene hydrocarbons, predominantly myrcene, α-humulene and β-caryophyllene. These three terpenes give the essential oil a distinct powerful aroma and range of health benefits
While hops is mostly known for its use in beer, it does have medicinal benefits used to help with sleep, nervousness, relaxation and many aromatherapy treatments.
The hops plant is a bine, which is different from a vine because it climbs using little hairs on the stem that move and bend its way upwards to reach up to 26 feet high. Hops are trained to a trellis to aid the growth upwards. It is a dioecious perennial plant and grows vigorously from May to August when they are planted in Ontario.
Once the plant reaches its ideal height, it will blossom a flower also called seed cones or strobiles. Hops have separate female and male plants, and only the female plants are used.
The first documented cultivation of hops was in 736, but it wasn't until the 13 century where it was predominantly used in beer. Before this period, brewers used a flavouring agent called gruit, which is a composed variety of bitter herbs such as mugwort, yarrow, marigold, dandelion, horehound, ivy, and burdock to name a few.
Hops was favoured for its bitterness to help balance the sweetness of the malt, add a variety of flavour and aroma as well as having antibacterial properties.
Tucked away in the junction of the Grand and Nith Rivers is Paris Ontario’s new brewery and tap room.
The Paris Beer Co. is co-founded by local farmers Ken and John Edgar, their wives Jennifer and Marsha alongside brewmaster Christian Von Der Heide.
Farming Hops
Growing hops is a family affair and are planted, trained and harvested by the Edgar family who have been farming in the community for many generations.
They currently grow 7 varieties of hops that they use in their beer which produce various levels of alpha acids, beta acids and oils. The level of these compounds classifies each hop cultivar as either an aromatic hop used as an aromatic or a bittering hop which is used for flavouring beer.
Harvest season is mid too late August depending on temperatures. Once the hops have been harvested and separated from the vine they are moved on a series of belts to dry. They are then bagged or turned into pellets to use for the future production of beer.
From Farm to Bottle
Paris beer is brewed, tapped, bottled and labelled all under one roof in the Paris Wincey Mills Co. Market. This unique and historic building is now home to local vendors for shopping and culinary experiences.
Have a seat at the tasting table or take home a selection from the bottle shop.
Health Benefits of Hops
Hops contain a combination of proteins, nutrients, water, cellulose, alpha acids, beta acids, terpenes and flavonoids. Each of these elements play key roles in the different uses for hops.
Hops oil contains the terpenes humulene, and caryophyllene and myrcene. Each of these terpenes are used in health products through supplementation with capsules, tinctures, tea and essential oils.
Humulene is abundant in hops essential oil, making up between 25 and 40 percent and is growing more attention for its anti-inflammatory properties.
Caryophyllene, is also found in cloves, basil, black pepper, lavender, cinnamon, and oregano, and has been studied extensively for its anti-inflammatory properties.
Because of its sedative properties, thought to be caused by alpha acids, hops oil is one of the go-to natural remedies for insomnia or restlessness. It can help to induce sleep, reduces stress and encourages relaxation, resulting in a more comfortable and peaceful sleep.