Hopbacks

A hopback is an essential piece of equipment used in brewing, designed to enhance the aroma and flavor of your beer by incorporating fresh or whole-cone hops into the brewing process. It acts as a sealed chamber placed between the wort kettle and the heat exchanger. During use, hot wort (unfermented beer) is transferred through the hopback, allowing the heat to extract the hop oils and aromas without over-bitterness or excessive volatilization caused by prolonged boiling.

The process is straightforward: fresh hops are added to the hopback, and hot wort is passed through it on its way to the fermenter. This allows the volatile aromatic compounds in the hops to infuse into the wort, resulting in a more pronounced hop character and an enticing aroma that enhances the final product. Commercial brewers and serious hobbyists love hop backs for their ability to deliver a clean, vibrant hop aroma.