A method for extracting resins and oils from a plant includes: 1) tumbling, inside a container at a temperature of at most 50 degrees Fahrenheit with a tumbler, plant fibers having one or more portions that contain resins and/or oils; 2) colliding the tumbler with the plant fibers to release the one or more portions that contain resins and/or oils from the remainder of the plant fibers; and 3) segregating the one or more portions that contain resins and/or oils from the remainder of the plant fibers.

A method of purifying a hop raw material includes subjecting the hop raw material to a first processing step to form a hop oil extract substantially free of lipids, waxes, flavonoids, and plant matter, collecting the hop oil extract, and optionally subjecting the hop oil extract to a second processing step to yield a purified hop oil product.

Assembly for regulating flow of hops into a fermentation vessel includes a hollow cross-shaped connector including a first cylindrical housing intersecting a second cylindrical housing at an approximate right angle. A rotary shaft coaxially mounted within the first cylindrical housing supports a hub and uniformly spaced vanes at a proximal end with outer ends of each vane adapted to sweep in close engagement with an inner wall of the first cylindrical housing. An actuator coupled to a distal end of the shaft is configured to control rotation of the shaft to control flow of hops from a hopper configured for holding hops into a hatch of a fermentation vessel configured for holding fermenting fluid. An outlet of the second cylindrical housing sealably connects to the hatch of the fermentation vessel, and an inlet of the second cylindrical housing sealably connects to an aperture of the hopper.

Assembly for regulating flow of hops into a fermentation vessel includes a hollow cross-shaped connector including a first cylindrical housing intersecting a second cylindrical housing at an approximate right angle. A rotary shaft coaxially mounted within the first cylindrical housing supports a hub and uniformly spaced vanes at a proximal end with outer ends of each vane adapted to sweep in close engagement with an inner wall of the first cylindrical housing. An actuator coupled to a distal end of the shaft is configured to control rotation of the shaft to control flow of hops from a hopper configured for holding hops into a hatch of a fermentation vessel configured for holding fermenting fluid. An outlet of the second cylindrical housing sealably connects to the hatch of the fermentation vessel, and an inlet of the second cylindrical housing sealably connects to an aperture of the hopper.

The invention is related to a beverage having an improved flavor. More precisely, it is related to a beverage having an improved flavor, comprising an aqueous medium extract of a hop having been subjected to an oxidation treatment.

The invention is related to a beverage having an improved flavor. More precisely, it is related to a beverage having an improved flavor, comprising an aqueous medium extract of a hop having been subjected to an oxidation treatment.

A method for producing a beer-taste beverage, characterized in that the method includes adding a hop bract-containing composition having an -acid content of less than 1% by weight of the composition in the step of producing a beer-taste beverage. According to the present invention, by the use of the hop bracts, it is possible to realize a balance between the bitterness, aroma derived from hops, and taste that cannot be achieved by a conventional production method. By appropriately adjusting the timing of adding hop bracts, beer-taste beverages having preferred features and strength of the aroma and controlled taste can be provided.

A method for producing a beer-taste beverage, characterized in that the method includes adding a hop bract-containing composition having an -acid content of less than 1% by weight of the composition in the step of producing a beer-taste beverage. According to the present invention, by the use of the hop bracts, it is possible to realize a balance between the bitterness, aroma derived from hops, and taste that cannot be achieved by a conventional production method. By appropriately adjusting the timing of adding hop bracts, beer-taste beverages having preferred features and strength of the aroma and controlled taste can be provided.

Assembly for regulating flow of hops into a fermentation vessel includes a hollow cross-shaped connector including a first cylindrical housing intersecting a second cylindrical housing at an approximate right angle. A rotary shaft coaxially mounted within the first cylindrical housing supports a hub and uniformly spaced vanes at a proximal end with outer ends of each vane adapted to sweep in close engagement with an inner wall of the first cylindrical housing. An actuator coupled to a distal end of the shaft is configured to control rotation of the shaft to control flow of hops from a hopper configured for holding hops into a hatch of a fermentation vessel configured for holding fermenting fluid. An outlet of the second cylindrical housing sealably connects to the hatch of the fermentation vessel, and an inlet of the second cylindrical housing sealably connects to an aperture of the hopper.

Assembly for regulating flow of hops into a fermentation vessel includes a hollow cross-shaped connector including a first cylindrical housing intersecting a second cylindrical housing at an approximate right angle. A rotary shaft coaxially mounted within the first cylindrical housing supports a hub and uniformly spaced vanes at a proximal end with outer ends of each vane adapted to sweep in close engagement with an inner wall of the first cylindrical housing. An actuator coupled to a distal end of the shaft is configured to control rotation of the shaft to control flow of hops from a hopper configured for holding hops into a hatch of a fermentation vessel configured for holding fermenting fluid. An outlet of the second cylindrical housing sealably connects to the hatch of the fermentation vessel, and an inlet of the second cylindrical housing sealably connects to an aperture of the hopper.