Process for separation of beta-acids from extract containing alpha-acids and beta-acids

A method of separating beta-acids from alpha-acids in a hop extract containing beta-acids and alpha-acids without using organic solvents, said method consisting of the hop extract having a pH of about 9.6 to about 13 by bubbling CO.sub.2 through the extract to lower the pH to about 8.5 to about 9.5 to precipitate the beta-acids and then isolating the pure solid beta-acids from the pure alpha-acids which remain in the aqueous extract.