Process for producing a water-soluble lipidic hop extract

Abstract

A water-dispersible lipidic hop extract composition, comprising at least 10% by weight of free fatty acid substances derived from hops, is useful to increase the utilization of the hop aroma and flavor components. It may be produced by treatment of an extract of hops with an excess of alkali. The starting hop extract, made conventionally as by extraction with organic solvent or carbon dioxide, preferably has alpha, isoalpha, and beta hop acids removed before treatment with excess alkali. A cosolvent, such as a lower alkanol, polyol, or wetting agent, heat, or high shear may be used to improve mixing of the lipidic organic phase of the hop extract with the excess alkali. The water-dispersible lipidic hop extract imparts an enhanced hop aroma and flavor upon addition to the wort at some point during the brewing process between boiling and the beginning of fermentation. A beer incorporating the dispersible lipidic hop extract has a stronger hop aroma and flavor than beer incorporating the usual hop extract.

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