Beyond the common: exploring the lupulate universe and the perception of bitterness
When we immerse ourselves in the world of artisanal beers, one of the terms that are most repeated and often misunderstood is ‘lupulate’. However, understanding what it really means and how it relates to the flavor and aroma of a good beer can change our way of enjoying it and appreciating it in all its dimension.
The IPA phenomenon and its impact on beer culture
India Pale Ale, or simply IPA, has revolutionized the world brewing panorama. Thanks to his profile marked by hops, he has catapulted many small breweries to stardom and has encouraged a wave of experimentation in styles and techniques. But not everything that shines is gold, and in the case of IPA, the line that separates the artisanal from the commercial has become diffuse and full of debate.
One of the most frequent confusions revolves around the relationship between ‘lupulate’ and ‘bitter’. Many people identify both in the same concept and associate the excess of one with the presence of the other, which is not always correct.
Hops: more than a simple bitterness
Hops is one of the star ingredients in beer manufacturing. If in your mind you still associate it with bitterness – as if it were a kind of satire according to ancient advertisements – you are missing the wealth that you can contribute to your palate.
From its aromatic profile, which can range from floral to citrus or resinous notes, to its antibacterial qualities, the hops is deeply involved in the history and evolution of modern beer.
The role of hops in different styles
There are styles where the hops shines alone in aroma and flavor, without necessarily daring with an extreme bitterness. The trend in the so -called ‘soft beers’ or recent styles such as ‘Hazy IPA’ shows that hops can be the protagonist in nuances and aromas without meaning an aggressively bitter experience.
Bitter: Beyond a facial stamp of disgust
On the other hand, the concept of bitterness has much more to offer than that expression of displeasure that we often see in old commercials. The real science behind this aspect is mediated by the international bitterness units, or IBU, a scale that evaluates the amount of acid in beer, mainly the isahumulone acid of the hops.
But, eye: a high value in IBU does not automatically mean that a beer will be unpleasantly bitter. The perception of flavor also depends on other components, such as alcohol level and the amount of malt. For example, a beer with high Ibus but a lot of body can be more balanced and less aggressive than a low and less maltose.
The contrast game: bitter versus sensory perception
Let’s talk about that subtle but key difference: relative bitterness and perceived. The amount of malt, ABV and other ingredients influence how we experience bitterness in the mouth.
A beer can have 60 Ibus but not feel too bitter if your marsh profile is strong and opaque that flavor. Therefore, two beers with the same scale in Ibus can be perceived very differently by different palates.
To understand if a beer will please you in that aspect, the best way will always be the direct test – let your papillae make their magic and judge by yourself.
From theory to practice: how to expand your beer vocabulary
Before immersing yourself in the wide variety of styles and flavors, it would be ideal for you to abandon pre -established ideas and begin to identify what notes and sensations you really enjoy. Recognize that hops can provide fruit or herbal aromas, without necessarily being a nightmare in the mouth, a completely new world will open.
Increasingly, brewers use techniques to modulate bitterness and enhance the aromatic qualities of hops, achieving from very soft but aromatic beers, to authentic explosions of flavor with intense and seductive bitterness.
A look at that future beer that we all want to explore
While innovation and creativity in the artisanal brewery continue to advance, knowledge and curiosity of the consumer must also grow. Understanding the different ways in which hops and bitterness combine in different recipes allows not only to choose what to drink, but also appreciate how each style changes and evolves.
Perhaps the most important thing is to remember that science and experience go hand in hand to make each sip an adventure. The next time your mouth is confronted with a very high Ibus beer, think of the techniques they could use and how that bitterness can be a pleasant experience, not a torture.
