Fennel is a herbal, slightly sweet note referring to fennel seeds or mild anise/licorice notes: herbal, spicy, and gently earthy rather than sharp or candy‑like. It often shows up alongside other spice notes (pepper, herbal, woody) and can add complexity and depth, especially when used in moderation or in combination with brighter citrus or floral hops. It can be desirable in styles where subtle spice and herb character fits the profile: many Belgian Ales (Saison, Belgian Blond Ales, Tripels), Farmhouse Ales, some German lagers (German Pils, German Helles, Kölsch) and traditional English styles (Bitter, ESB). It's usually less welcome as a dominant note in modern hop‑forward IPAs, where fruit, citrus, and resin are preferred, but a faint fennel edge can still work in more rustic or mixed‑fermentation IPAs and experimental saisons.
Titan is a high‑alpha hop from the Hop Research Center in Hüll, Germany. It's the result of crossing Polaris (mother) with a Hüll breeding line, with Hercules as a "grandmother" in the family tree. The breeding goal was to keep Herkules-like yield, bitterness quality, and robustness, while adding even better disease resistance and agronomic traits. The variety was specifically designed …
Traful hops are a testament to the ingenuity and dedication of the Argentinian brewing industry, particularly the efforts of the Quilmes Brewing and Malting Company. Developed through a breeding program that began in the 1980s, Traful hops are a product of a cross between the popular Cascade variety and Quilmes' proprietary lines. Officially registered in 1994, these hops were initially …