Hops give beers much of their flavor, aroma and bitterness, or lack thereof.

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Consider a tasting where drinkers sample a beer with a particular characteristic (flavor from German hops, hop bitterness, smoked malt, amount of cherry juice, the options are endless) and rate the intensity of that characteristic.

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Their leaves should still retain a slight crispness, while their flavor should suggest a hint of pleasant bitterness and deliver a subtle aftertaste similar to an aged, sharp cheese.

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