The Fascinating History of Imbitters in Brewing

Imbitters are a type of bittering agent used in the brewing industry. They are typically made from the roots or bark of certain plants, such as hops, and are added to beer during the brewing process to give it a bitter flavor. The term "imbitter" comes from the Old English word "im-," meaning "into," and "bitter," meaning "taste."

Imbitters were traditionally used in English ale brewing to balance out the sweetness of the malt and create a more complex flavor profile. They were also believed to have medicinal properties and were sometimes used as a remedy for various ailments. Today, imbitters are still used in some traditional beer recipes, but they have largely been replaced by hops as the primary bittering agent in modern brewing.