Abstract: A hop composition can be prepared by admixing wet hops and deaerated water, wherein the water of the hop composition contains less than 500 ppb dissolved oxygen. The resulting hop composition preferably contains 1-30 wt % wet hops and 70-99 wt % added water, wherein the water of the hop composition contains less than 500 ppb dissolved oxygen. A finished beer can be prepared from a hop composition of the invention. Optionally, the hop composition can be frozen before use in preparing a finished beer.