Records of hops being used in ancient Egypt have been found but not as a flavouring for beer.   The Germans have the longest recorded history of brewing with them, with mention of it almo

Different varieties of hops have different bitterness and aroma characteristics.

Hops are generally divided into two categories: bittering and aroma.   The hops are added to the wort during the boil stage where the flavour compounds are extracted into the wort.   

The flavour compounds in hops can be extracted by the process of the boil stage of brewing. This is the traditional way to impart the hop flavour into beer and has been used for centuries.