Bergamot Aroma in Hops: Still a Beer or Earl Grey’s Fancy Cousin

The fascinating world of bergamot in hops brings a unique citrus character to your favorite beers. This distinctive aroma, reminiscent of Earl Grey tea, adds complexity and depth to various brewing styles. 

The Bergamot hop variety stands out with its strong orange-forward aroma profile.

Earning it the playful nickname “O.A.F.” (Orange Aroma Forward) among craft brewers.

Think about sipping a beer that combines the zesty punch of citrus with subtle floral notes. That’s what bergamot-forward hops can do for your brew. German hop varieties like Saphir bring these special characteristics to life,

Making them perfect for brewers looking to create beers with distinctive citrus qualities.

Key Takeaways

• Bergamot hops add unique citrus and tea-like qualities to beer
• Multiple hop varieties can create bergamot notes in different brewing stages
• This aroma works especially well in German-style ales and Belgian beers

Hop Varieties With Bergamot Flavors And Aromas

You’ll find bergamot notes in several exciting hop varieties. Let’s explore your options for bringing those citrusy, Earl Grey tea-like qualities to your brews!

The star of the show is the aptly named Bergamot hop, a newer dual-purpose variety. It packs a punch with intense orange and bergamot tea notes, plus bonus aromas of mango, cherry, and lemongrass.

Saphir hops bring a more subtle bergamot character to your beer.

This German aroma variety offers delicate Earl Grey tea notes alongside gentle floral and spicy undertones. The alpha acids are low (2-4.5%), making it perfect for late additions.

Other varieties with bergamot-like qualities:

• Mandarina Bavaria: Strong mandarin orange and bergamot (low intensity)
• Hallertau Blanc: White grape and bergamot tea (low intensity)
• Lubelski: Mild bergamot with herbal spice (low intensity)

Want to amp up those bergamot flavors? Try pairing these hops with varieties that have high levels of linalool and geraniol oils. These compounds boost the citrus and floral notes you’re after.

Pro tip: Add these hops late in the boil or during dry hopping to preserve those precious aromatic oils. The volatile compounds that create bergamot flavors can disappear quickly during long boils.

The Other Ways Of Getting Bergamot Aromas In Beers

Want bergamot flavor but can’t find those special hops? Don’t worry – you’ve got options!

The easiest way is to use actual bergamot orange peel in your brew. You can add fresh zest during the last 5 minutes of the boil or grab some dried bergamot peel from specialty suppliers.

Tea-riffic Options:

• Earl Grey tea bags in secondary fermentation
• Bergamot essential oil (use tiny amounts!)
• Bergamot marmalade or preserves
• Dried bergamot peel powder

If you’re feeling fancy, you can try a combo approach. Adding both bergamot-forward hops like O.A.F. and a touch of real bergamot peel can create amazing depth.

Pro tip: Start small with any bergamot additions.

This flavor can quickly go from “wow” to “whoa that’s too much!”

The best time to add bergamot ingredients is near the end of your brew day. Think late boil, whirlpool, or even dry hopping stage – just like you’d treat aromatic hops.

Remember that bergamot oils can affect head retention. If you use essential oils or tea, keep the amounts super tiny or you might end up with a flat-looking brew. Nobody wants that!

Want to experiment? Try adding different citrus peels alongside bergamot. Orange, tangerine, or even yuzu can create some really fun flavor combos in your beer.

Beer Styles Suitable For Bergamot Aromas And Flavors

Belgian witbiers love a good orange kick, making them perfect for bergamot’s citrus charm. You’ll notice how the bright orange zest plays nicely with the style’s light, wheaty base.

Want to get wild? Try adding bergamot to your saison. Its orange and floral notes match perfectly with the style’s spicy yeast character. Plus, the fruity hints will make your saison extra refreshing.

American pale ales and IPAs are your best friends here. The orange-forward nature of bergamot can bring a juicy twist to these hop-driven styles. Think orange juice meets tropical fruit punch – minus the sugar crash!

Recommended Beer Styles:

• Belgian Witbier
• Saison
• American Pale Ale
• IPA
• Blonde Ale
• Wheat Beer

Got a sweet tooth? Add bergamot to a blonde ale for a citrus-meets-malt experience.

The subtle orange notes won’t overpower the beer’s gentle character.

Pro tip: Start with lighter doses in wheat beers. You want that bergamot orange to complement – not dominate – the beer’s natural grain flavors. A little goes a long way!

The fresh citrus punch works great in summer seasonals too. 

Your friends will love trying to guess that mystery orange flavor in your next brew.