Behind the Craft: How we Make our Liquid Hops

At JRM Products Ltd, based in Scotland, we specialise in transforming fresh hops into high-quality liquid hop extracts, also known as CO₂ hop extract. This process enhances brewing efficiency and consistency for breweries worldwide. Here's an overview of how we create our liquid hops: 

1. Selecting Premium Hops

We work with top-grade hops, which are turned into pellets - concentrated forms of hops known for their rich alpha acids and essential oils. These compounds are crucial for imparting bitterness, aroma, and flavour to beer. 

2. Supercritical CO₂ Extraction

The hop pellets undergo supercritical CO₂ extraction, a method that uses carbon dioxide at high pressure and temperature to act as both a gas and a liquid. This allows the efficient extraction of the desired resins and oils from the pellets without using harmful solvents; and the result is a pure, viscous resin rich in alpha acids, beta acids, and hop oils. 

3. Isomerisation for Enhanced Efficiency

In traditional brewing, isomerisation - the conversion of alpha acids to iso-alpha acids - occurs during the boil, often with low efficiency. At JRM, we perform this process separately, converting alpha acids into iso-alpha acids through controlled heating. This approach helps us improve utilisation rates, achieving up to 97% efficiency compared to the typical 20-30% in conventional methods.

4. Customisation and Packaging

We tailor our extracts to meet specific brewing requirements. Whether its providing a particular extract concentration or a unique packaging option, helping create the perfect solution for different breweries. Extracts are packaged in food-grade containers, ensuring ease of use and long shelf life!

Benefits for Brewers

Using JRM's liquid hop extracts offers several advantages:

• Consistency: Standardised extracts ensure uniform flavour and aroma across batches.
• Efficiency: Higher utilisation rates mean less raw material is needed, reducing costs.
• Sustainability: The CO₂ used in extraction is recovered and reused, minimising environmental impact.
• Storage: Extracts require less space and have a longer shelf life than whole hops or pellets.
  
  

Global Reach

Our commitment to quality and innovation has made JRM a trusted partner for large-scale breweries worldwide. We process over 300 tonnes of premium products annually, contributing to approximately one in every eight beers sold in supermarkets globally. 

For more information about how they can benefit your brewing process, discover our product range.