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Can somone please explain to me how hops are used in homebrew. I've done a little research, but the more I read, the more confused I get.
For example, a recipe asks for Finishing 15g of Fuggles.
What are Finishing hops? I've read there are other types as well. What do they do?
How are the hops added to the fermenter?
At what stage are they added?
Hope somone can help..
right, i have a habit of waffling on so ill try and keep this concise.
hops are hops, the difference in there name. eg cascade and fuggles, is that there are different amounts of chemical compounds that create different flavors.
now these different amounts of compounds are generally singled out to the level of alpha acid they contain (to keep it simple), now looking at these alpha acid Laval's you can divide hops into there main 2 category's, bittering and aroma.
bittering hops.
the higher the levels of alpha acid the better a hop is at bittering, these hops are generally added into boiling water, the heat makes the acids dissolve into the water and the fragrances boil away.
aroma hops
the lower the alpha acid the Hoppy has the more suited it will be to giving your beer that Hoppy aroma, these are better added to-wards the end of the boil so as to dissolve the oils but not boil the fragrances away.
so to recap, bittering hops and aroma hops and finishing hops and all types of hops are exactly the same, they are just used at different times in the brewing process to get the best out of the hops.
finishing hops are just the name given to hops added ether at the end of the boil of cold into the fermenter, you can add hops at any time in the brewing process. you just chuck them into the fermenter if you want, about 2 days from bottling with aroma hops is a favorite to top iT the aroma, i usually chuck in my finishing hops as I'm chilling the brew down to pitching temps and then just leave them in when i transfer to the fermenter.
hope this helps and if you have any more questions i will be happy to try and help you.
Yes, when you hear "finishing hops" it just means that the hops are added at the very end of the boil, to give aroma to the beer.
Likewise, you may also hear of "dry hopping". This is adding hops to the fermenting beer or even fermented beer, and has a similar effect to using finishing hops.
Also dont get stuck into the mindset you can only bitter with high alpha hops... You need more but lower alpha hops can be used to bitter with a very nice affect on the taste...
Make a beer with the same malt, change the variety and quantity of hops and you can end up with a totally different style of beer....
Fermenting: Responsibly American Brown (Drink Responsibly) My first AG!
Bottled: Fuggles Larger/ale, Honey I'm Home Ale, Entropy Wheat, Dark Matter Ale, The Beer that Should Not Be (IPA)
You may want to leave it alone, just my opinion though
Dogger
"Listening to someone who brews their own beer is like listening to a religous fanatic talk about the day he saw the light" Ross Murray, Montreal Gazette
it looks like ill be needing the spell checker again guys. of all the forums in all the world the bloody litracy police have to brew there own bloody beer.
only been back 5 mins and your allready on my back.
tbh i like the banter. everyone on hear has there gripes and moans, strenths and weeknesses. its all good, let the banter flow and the good times role thats what i say.
there is a time and a place for it like and i agree its not in the making beer section.
but non the less its good to be back dispite the distinkt lack of activity and new questions.
Rats bum maybe, didn't mean anything by it. Here's to hops for all their aroma and bitterness.
I'm looking into getting a keg system set up. Fingers crossed, can't wait.
I like beer oh yes I do. doo daa doo daa. I like beer oh yes I do. oh daa doo daa day
englend victorious "ashes 2005" 
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