Hops Glossary – Myrcene: The Aromatic Alchemist of Ale Aromas
If you’re diving into the world of brewing, myrcene is a term you’ll bump into as frequently as revelers at a beer festival. It’s one of the most common aroma compounds in hops.
Hops is that magical plant responsible for the bitter taste and seductive aromas in your favorite craft brews. Myrcene is the unsung hero that imparts the distinct herbal, citrusy punch to many a pint.
Getting to know it will surely boost your beer banter at the bar.
Understanding myrcene is like unlocking a secret level in a video game.
Only, this level is flavor, and the points are nods of approval from your fellow beer aficionados. This tiny compound’s big personality influences the sensory profile of beer in a way that can turn an ordinary brew into a masterpiece.
Whether it’s the dankness in an IPA or the tropical vibes in a pale ale…
…myrcene’s the craftsman behind the curtain.
Jumping into the brewing process without acknowledging myrcene would be like ignoring yeast’s role in fermentation. It’s a rookie mistake. But don’t worry, we’re here to help you schmooze your way through the complexity. Let’s peel back the layers of this hoppy conundrum.
And get to the bottom of why myrcene is your beer’s new best friend.
Key Takeaways
- Myrcene is a key aroma compound in hops, influencing the flavor and aroma of beer.
- It imparts distinct herbal and citrus characteristics to various beer styles.
- Recognizing the importance of myrcene can enhance your understanding and appreciation of beer.
The Aroma Adventure of Myrcene
Ready to sniff out the secrets of myrcene?
This little hop compound is a big deal when you’re after that perfect brew.
Nosing Into Myrcene
Myrcene, my friend, is not just any molecule lounging in your pint. It’s the life of the aroma party. Dominating the hop oil profile, it’s known for its potent fruity whiffs that can dance from ripe mango to lemongrass faster than you can say “cheers.”
When you take a sip, it’s myrcene that’s tickling your nose with that signature scent.
Fruity Fables of Citra and Simcoe
Picture this. The Citra and Simcoe hops are like the dynamic duo of fruitiness. Thanks to? You guessed it – myrcene. Citra is the citrus and tropical thunder. Boasting aromas of grapefruit, orange, lime and mango with melon.
Sometimes with notes of lychee. Or gooseberries.
Simcoe steps in with wafts of apricot, passion fruit and berry melodies. With strong notes of citrus. Together, they’re a fruit basket of aroma, and it’s all courtesy of our pal, myrcene.
- Citra
- Grapefruit
- Lime
- Orange
- Mango
- Melon
- Simcoe
- Apricot
- Berry
- Passion Fruit
- Grapefruit
- Citrus
Exotic Aromas From Far-off Lands
Don’t stop at the familiar. Myrcene’s passport has stamps from exotic terrains. One sniff might whisk you away to a far-off market brimming with spicy, musky, and resinous treasures.
It’s like a fragrance round-the-world cruise. Minus the seasickness.
Humulene and Caryophyllene: Earthy Cousins
Not to be overshadowed, humulene and caryophyllene join the aroma adventure bringing spicy, earthy, woody depth to the table. They’re like myrcene’s cousins, the Ron Swanson of hop oils, if you will.
No-nonsense and robust with a hint of spice to keep it interesting.
- Humulene
- Woody
- Earthy
- Caryophyllene
- Spicy
- Peppery
So next time you’re sipping a frosty one, remember you’re diving nose-first into the fantastic world of myrcene. It’s a wild, aromatic rollercoaster that will have you coming back for another round.
The Artistry of Myrcene in Hop Varieties
Myrcene, a hop’s aromatic VIP, paints flavors into your brew like Picasso on a tipsy day. Now, let’s sniff out the virtuosos behind those citrus and herbal masterpieces in your pint.
The Citrusy Celebrities: Amarillo and Centennial
Amarillo and Centennial hops are like the citrus lords of the hop world.
The former also brings kick-ass tropical aromas to the table.
These star-studded varieties are dripping with myrcene, which cranks up the volume on citrus tones in your beer. Picture a grove of orange and peach trees taking a dip in your brew. That’s the Amarillo effect.
And Centennial? It’s the trusty sidekick, slinging lemon zest vibes left and right.
- Amarillo:
- Myrcene Content: High
- Notes: Orange, Tangerine, Grapefruit
- Centennial:
- Myrcene Content: High to Moderate
- Notes: Lemon, Floral
Other Examples of High Myrcene Hops
Now, don’t think our citrusy celebrities are the only hops in town with a myrcene knack. There’s a whole lineup of varieties strutting high myrcene levels. Why does this matter to you?
Because myrcene is the secret handshake that helps hops give your ale that fresh, hoppy punch. Each variety with high myrcene levels is like a different color on your beer’s flavor palette.
High Myrcene Hops:
- Cascade: It’s like grapefruit had a baby with a basket of flowers.
- Mosaic: Think papaya meets herbs in a jar of dankness.
- Simcoe: Citrus and tropical fruits is the game here, with notes of pine.
Herbal Ensemble: Tettnanger and Saaz
If citrus isn’t your jam, let’s take a stroll in the herbal garden of hops.
Tettnanger and Saaz are like the cool uncles of myrcene. They’re not here to steal the show with flashy citrus. They’re more about the subtle, sophisticated herbal and floral notes. The ones that give your lager a continental flair.
So, if you’re all about the classy, earthy profiles…
…look no further than these seasoned performers.
- Tettnanger:
- Myrcene Content: Lower
- Profile: Gentle, Elegant, Herbal
- Saaz:
- Myrcene Content: Lower
- Profile: Sophisticated, Mild Spiciness, Floral
Keep an eye on Tettnanger and Saaz. They’re not as loud as Amarillo.
But they’ll sure fine-tune your beer into an aromatic symphony.
Brewing Beneath the Surface
When you’re brewing, Myrcene is like your best friend who knows all the cool spots.
It defines flavor and aroma.
The Boiling Point of Becoming Beer
You know the score. When you boil wort, all those hoppy characters decide if they’re jumping into the pool or staying dry. Myrcene, that slick, aromatic compound in your hop arsenal, is pretty much the VIP of this boiling bash.
Boiling Point:
- When: Near the end
- Who: Your hop varieties loaded with Myrcene
- Why: To infuse the brew with its signature scent and taste
But here’s the kicker. Myrcene is one shy fella in the heat, evaporates easily, and could leave the party early if it gets too hot. It’s critical to watch the temp like a hawk to make sure Myrcene gets cozy in your brew.
Temperature Trials
Ever heard that temperature is the bouncer at the Myrcene Club? That’s because getting that temp just right determines if Myrcene will grace your beer with its presence…
…or leave you hanging.
Temperature Sweet Spot:
- Low Temp: Myrcene stays but might not pop
- High Temp: Myrcene could bolt, and so could your dreams
After you’ve sweet-talked Myrcene into your wort, the fermentation phase is where it settles in and calls it home. Nail this, and you’re on track to serving a flavor bomb that’ll knock the socks off your taste buds.
Cheers to Myrcene, your beer’s new best buddy!
Health Potion or Brewing Component?
You might think you’ve stumbled into a fantasy novel, but no.
We’re just talking about myrcene, the wizardly compound in hops.
The Soothing Side of Myrcene
Picture this. After a long day, you reach for your craft beer, and what’s that relaxing you? It’s Myrcene! Myrcene is known for its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.
It battles pain and inflammation like a valiant knight.
Folks with arthritis and osteoarthritis, listen up. Myrcene in hops could be your new best friend. It won’t equip you with a magical shield, but it might soothe the beast of joint discomfort.
Move Over, Pharmaceuticals
Wave goodbye to those conventional potions from the pharmacy. Myrcene swoops in with natural healing powers that could give those synthetic concoctions a run for their money. Who knew that the humble hop could potentially humiliate those high-and-mighty painkillers?
So next time you’re nursing a chronic case of the Mondays or your creaky knees, remember. Your brew’s secret ingredient is more superhero than sidekick.
The Science, The Myth, The Legend
When you’re sipping on your hoppy brew, you’re not just tasting beer. You’re diving into a world where chemistry meets mythology. Where plants whisper secrets of ancient legends.
Let’s peel back the layers.
The Chemistry of Character: Terpenes and Beyond
You’ve probably heard about terpenes. They’re the spice of the plant world. In the realm of hops, myrcene sits on its throne, smug with its crucial role in developing your beer’s punchy aroma and flavor.
This little compound is a type of monoterpene.
Which means it’s kind of like the starter pack of terpenes. It’s the foundation for building complex flavors that turn your average beer into a masterpiece.
Characteristic Flavors of Myrcene:
- Terpene Level: High
- Flavor Profile: Citrus, fruity, resinous
- Note: Often present in West Coast IPAs
Green Gold: The Cannabis Connection
Hold onto your pints, because myrcene isn’t just hopping around in beer. It’s a big wig in cannabis too. If you’ve ever caught a whiff of that skunky, earthy scent. That’s Myrcene working its magic.
Cannabis and hops are distant cousins who share family traits.
Myrcene’s role ties closely with THC and CBD, the famous duo of weed. Together, they create the entourage effect that gives you the chills or the giggles.
Fragrances and Pharmaceuticals: Unlikely Frenemies
You walk into a room and BAM! A scent hits you. That’s myrcene again, buddying up with the fragrance industry. But this terpene isn’t just a one-trick pony. It’s got its fingers in the pharmaceutical pie too.
Think of it like the cool molecule on the block that everyone – including drugs – wants to hang with. Rumor has it myrcene might have therapeutic superpowers. It may work with drugs to help reduce inflammation.
Like a medical ninja, it sneaks into your system…
…might give a tiny high-five to your pain, and then stealthily vanishes.
So next time you’re holding a hop-heavy brew, remember you’re not just knocking back a beer. You’re partaking in a tale as old as time, where compounds like myrcene are the unsung heroes of taste, tradition, and tantalizing secrets.
In Pursuit of Perfection: Processing and Quality
When you’re after the finest brew, remember: how we swaddle those hop cones from vine to pint glass makes or breaks the myrcene magic. Get ready to hop on the quality train!
From Bine to Brine: Hop Processing
Your hop journey leaps off from the bine. Not to be confused with your backyard vine. Here’s the deal. Hop processing involves picking, drying, and packaging. For the myrcene you’re chasing, timing is everything.
Picked too early or late affects the compound levels, thus the bitterness and aroma are all over the place. Imagine, waiting that long for a concerto and the violins are out of tune!
- Picking: Harvest at just the right myrcene moment.
- Drying: Low temps, please! We don’t want to cook off myrcene’s fragrant charm.
- Packaging: It’s like sending fine china through the mail. Cushioned and airtight to seal in freshness.
Dry Hopping: A Flavorful Voyage
Welcome aboard the SS Aroma!
Here, you’re tossing in hops post-boil to infuse your beer with flavors and aromas without cranking up the bitterness. Let me tell you, myrcene plays the lead guitar in the aroma band.
Too much, and it’s like overdoing the cologne on a first date.
A little goes a long way.
- Technique: Pitch in those hops when the yeast isn’t watching.
- Timing: Patiently wait for the myrcene serenade to reach a crescendo.
A Spectrum of Bitter to Sweet
Think of myrcene as the wild card in your hop hand. It decides whether your brew is as bitter as a jilted lover or smooth like a charmer on the dance floor. And here’s a kicker. It isn’t just about bitterness; myrcene means sweet, citrusy notes that can play a tropical tune on your palate.
- Myrcene levels: A tightrope walk between too bitter and a sweet spot.
- Balance: Like a perfectly timed punchline, it’s all about the right mix.
Damian
A lifelong learner, hop enthusiast and a lover of the state of extreme exhaustion.
Finance Analyst in the Investment Bank and co-founder of hopsmatcher.com