Hoppiness is an over used word in beer. Hops impact more than one sensory aspect of beer, and perhaps the best way to demonstrate this is with an unusual companion: two craft chocolate bars.

Tyler Cagwin of Nostalgia Chocolate loves craft beer as much as chocolate, and he’s brought the two together in his Hop Aged 70% dark chocolate bar aged on Chinook hops.

What are hops, how are they used in brewing beer, and what tastes, flavors, and aromas do they contribute? Advanced Cicerone David Nilsen explains the basics of hops.