RESUMEN
Drying techniques are important for hop storage and quality. The stage of hop addition in beer is another important issue. This study focuses the impact of two drying techniques [freeze-dryer (F) and hot-stove (H)] of Cascade hop, on the chemical, aromatic and sensory quality of beer, comparing beers produced without (BF and BH) and with dry-hopping technique (BFDH and BHDH). Dry-hopping with H significantly increased the bitterness index and reduced the titratable acidity. Isoamyl acetate (450.60 µg/L) and ethyl caprylate (313.60 µg/L) were in high content especially in BH while, ethyl-n-caproate (359.37 µg/L) had the highest content in BF. The beers made with dry-hopping technique, had a significantly higher content in terpenes especially in BFDH (1006.18 µg/L). Sensory evaluation indicated difference preferences, with freeze-dried hop beers generally favored. In conclusion, depending on the type of beer desired, hops dried in different way and a specific hopping technique can be chosen.