HomebrewandBeer.com forum

Anyone ever brew up a batch without hops? What was that like? Or what would it be like?

No. And I'm not keen to try! Without the bitterness of the hops to balance the sweetness of the malt, not to mention the flavour and aroma of the hops, it would be a fairly sweet, unpalatable drink I'd reckon.

But if you really want to know, give it a try and let us know how it tastes

You could just do a trial batch by boiling up some malt extract with water and fermenting it.

Oliver

EDIT: Beer doesn't have to have hops (although almost every one does), but if not there is usually a herb or spice in it to give it flavour and balance.

Didn't know if that was already a beverage of another name...

Is it gruit??? The predecessor to beer as we know it with hops, herbs for bitterness instead, There are some commercial examples in Scandanavia I think.

gruit was commonly used to bitter beer along with a lot of other herbs and spices.
I believe the Poms were the last to use gruit extensively when hops had already dominated the rest of the brewing world, don't quote me on it thought.

Hi Mad Dog,
Are you looking to reduce / eliminate certain flavors or aroma's?

No, I guess I'm just a curious type.

Oh ok, let us know if you choose to put a hop less brew down

I have only been brewing for a short time but i find when i put hops in my brews the flavor is to strong for me so i just leave it out beer tast fine to me

I personally wouldn't call it "beer" if it doesn't have hops.

You're not doing it right then.

Would you like some tips, be happy to help.

Unless you're just 'takin the piss' :ugeek:

I suspect bobby is referring to kit beer using a pre-hopped kit so beer will have bitterness but next to no hop flavour and aroma.

Holgate's in Woodend do one - Gruit Expectations. Been a while since I had one, but from memory it is a sweet, herby brew. I don't think it comes bottled, so you would need to visit (which I would recommend anyway). I would call it an acquired taste.