What the Heck is That?
If you’ve poked around our shop lately, you might’ve come across something called Hop Hash and thought… What the heck is that? No worries—we get that a lot. Hop Hash is one of those brewer’s secrets that’s starting to make big waves in the craft world, and lucky for you, we’ve been making it right here on our farm for years.
In this post, we’re breaking down what Hop Hash is, how it’s made, and why more and more brewers (both commercial and home-based) are reaching for it to take their beers to the next level.
Let’s dive into the sticky, hoppy goodness.
🌿 So, What Is Hop Hash?
Hop Hash is a natural byproduct of the hop pelletizing process—aka when we take whole leaf hops and grind them down into those little green pellets you know and love.
During that process, a ton of lupulin powder—that yellow, oily, super aromatic substance inside the hop cone—gets shaken loose. That powder collects along the inside of our pellet mill equipment, and instead of letting it go to waste, we scrape it down and package it up.
What you’re left with is Hop Hash: a concentrated, resinous blend of lupulin, hop oils, and fine plant particles. It’s sticky. It’s potent. And it’s packed with aroma and flavor.
🍊 Why Brewers Are Obsessed
Hop Hash isn’t just some novelty product—it’s a flavor bomb. Here’s why brewers are all about it:
1. Intense Aroma & Flavor
Because it’s loaded with lupulin glands and essential hop oils, Hop Hash delivers huge punchy aroma and flavor without the plant matter of whole cones or even pellets. Think tropical, citrusy, piney explosions depending on the variety.
2. Efficient Use of Hops
You can get strong flavor and aroma impact with less product, which is great for brewers looking to maximize their ingredients or push limits in small batches.
3. Lower IBU Contribution
Hop Hash has minimal alpha acids, so you won’t get a ton of bitterness. That makes it perfect for late additions, whirlpool hopping, and dry hopping—anywhere you want pure aroma to shine without adding extra IBUs.
4. It’s Fun to Experiment With
Seriously—Hop Hash is a playground for brewers. Mix it into your dry hop schedule, use it in a smash beer, or layer it with pellets for extra complexity.
🔬 How We Make It at Hops Direct
Since we do everything here on the farm—from harvesting to pelletizing—we’re able to capture Hop Hash as it forms, right at the source.
No additives. No flavoring. No fancy processing. Just pure, natural hop magic collected fresh from the pellet mill and vacuum-sealed to lock in the goodness.
We currently offer Hop Hash in popular varieties like Citra®, Simcoe®, and Mosaic®, but keep an eye on the shop—we’re always adding more based on what’s running through our mill.
💡 Tips for Brewing With Hop Hash
If you’re new to brewing with Hop Hash, here are a few quick tips to help you get the most out of it:
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Use it late in the process. It shines brightest when added during the whirlpool or as a dry hop addition.
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Don’t expect high bitterness. Hop Hash is mostly about flavor and aroma, not IBUs.
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Start small and adjust. Because it’s potent, you’ll want to experiment with smaller amounts at first—somewhere in the 0.25–0.5 oz range for a 5-gallon batch.
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Store it cold. Just like your other hops, Hop Hash should be stored in the freezer in an airtight container.
Want even more detail? We’re always happy to help troubleshoot or brainstorm hop schedules. Just shoot us a message.
🛒 Where to Get It
You won’t find Hop Hash just anywhere—it’s one of those “farm direct” perks you get from buying straight from us.
Shop Hop Hash in your favorite varieties or try something new. Quantities are limited (it’s a small-batch product), so grab it while it’s in stock!
🍺 Final Thoughts: Hash It Out
Hop Hash is a perfect example of how nothing goes to waste on a working hop farm. What used to be a byproduct we wiped off our equipment has turned into a cult-favorite brewing ingredient—and we’re thrilled to be able to share it with you.
Whether you’re chasing the boldest IPA possible or experimenting with juicy pale ales, Hop Hash adds a layer of intensity and creativity that pellets alone can’t match.
So go ahead, hash it out—and tell us what you’re brewing next. We love seeing how creative y’all get with the goods we grow.
Cheers,
The Puterbaugh Family
Hops Direct | Farm Fresh Hops Since 1932
