What are Hop Thiols and Why Do They Matter in Beer?

This week I cover the major hop thiols and how they can be used to increase the aromatic and fruity flavors in beers like IPA. What are Hop Thiols? Hop thiols, also known as mercaptans are sulfur based organic compounds that are highly aromatic. Thiols are a tiny percentage ( 1%) of the essential oils in hops, but they pack a big punch. They exist in a wide variety of products including fruit, hops, grapes and even grain. Scientifically they were first identified in the wine making industry whe