Hop extraction products and processes for improved beverage fermentation and flavor

Abstract

The present invention relates to new products and processes for making and using hop extract products comprising hop oils present in amounts between about 6 mL/100 g to about 40 mL/100 g, or more. The oil enriched hop extracts of the present invention also contain higher proportions of oil relative to other hop components typically found in hop extracts. Production of the oil enriched hop extracts may comprise a partial or a first extraction of hop materials. In one preferred embodiment, such extraction may occur under pressures of 1700 psi to about 3700 psi for less than three hours. The enriched oil extracts of the present invention can be used to produce beers having enhanced aroma and flavor profiles. The present invention also relates to products and processes for making and using second extractions of hop materials comprising alpha acids present in amounts of, for example, about 50% to about 70% (w/w).

1 . An oil enriched hop extract comprising:
 a first extract component comprising hop oils in an amount between about 12 mL/100 g to about 40 mL/100 g; and   a second extract component comprising about 50% to about 70% (w/w) alpha acids, wherein the oil enriched hop extract comprises between 6 mL/100g and 40 mL/100 g hop oils and between 15% and 80% (w/w) alpha acids.   
     
     
         2 . The oil enriched hop extract of  claim 1 , wherein the hop oils are present in the first extract component in an amount between about 20 mL/100 g to about 40 mL/100 g. 
     
     
         3 . The oil enriched hop extract of  claim 1 , further comprising uncharacterized materials in an amount of about 0% (w/w) to about 3% (w/w). 
     
     
         4 . The oil enriched hop extract of  claim 1 , further comprising uncharacterized materials in an amount of less than about 4% (w/w). 
     
     
         5 . The oil enriched hop extract of  claim 1 , wherein hop oils and alpha acids are present in the oil enriched hop extract at a ratio of at least about 33 :67 . 
     
     
         6 . The oil enriched hop extract of  claim 1 , wherein the oil enriched hop extract has a viscosity (cPs) of less than about 2000 cPs at a temperature of about 21° C., or a viscosity (cPs) of between 1000 cPs and 2500 cPs at a temperature of about 21° C. 
     
     
         7 . The oil enriched hop extract of  claim 1 , wherein the first extract and the second extract are both a supercritical CO 2  extract. 
     
     
         8 . The oil enriched extract of  claim 1 , wherein the second extract component further comprises at least one of separated hop oil, co-solvent and surfactant. 
     
     
         9 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . The oil enriched extract of  claim 1 , wherein the oil enriched extract has a viscosity of less than 3 Pas at a temperature of 40° C. 
     
     
         22 . The oil enriched extract of  claim 1 , wherein the oil enriched extract has a viscosity of less than 1 Pas at a temperature of 40° C. 
     
     
         23 . An oil enriched hop extract comprising between 6 mL/100 g and 40 mL/100 g hop oils and between 15% and 80% (w/w) alpha acids, wherein the oil enriched hop extract has a viscosity of between 1 to 3 Pa-s at 30° C. to 40° C. 
     
     
         24 . The oil enriched hop_extract of  claim 23 , wherein the hop oils are present in an amount between about 20 mL/100 g to about 40 mL/100 g. 
     
     
         25 . The oil enriched hop extract of  claim 23 , further comprising uncharacterized materials in an amount of about 0% (w/w) to about 3% (w/w). 
     
     
         26 . The oil enriched hop extract of  claim 23 , further comprising uncharacterized materials in an amount of less than about 4% (w/w). 
     
     
         27 . The oil enriched hop extract of  claim 23 , wherein hop oils and alpha acids are present in the oil enriched hop extract at a ratio of at least about 33:67. 
     
     
         28 . The oil enriched hop extract of  claim 23 , wherein the oil enriched hop extract has a viscosity (cPs) of less than about 2000 cPs at a temperature of about 21° C., or a viscosity (cPs) of between 1000 cPs and 2500 cPs at a temperature of about 21° C. 
     
     
         29 . The oil enriched extract of  claim 23 , further comprising at least one of separated hop oil, co-solvent, and surfactant. 
     
     
         30 . An oil enriched hop extract comprising hop oils and alpha acids at a ratio of at least about 33:67, wherein the oil enriched hop extract has a viscosity of between 1 to 3 Pa-s at 30° C. to 40° C. 
     
     
         31 . The oil enriched hop extract of  claim 30 , further comprising uncharacterized materials in an amount of less than about 4% (w/w). 
     
     
         32 . The oil enriched extract of  claim 30 , further comprising at least one of separated hop oil, co-solvent, and surfactant.