To be botanically correct, Humulus lupulus is a bine, not to be confused with the more commonly known vine, although they are very similar in appearance (both are climbers). A vine climbs with the aid of tendrils. A tendril is a modified leaf, branch, or stem, used to twirl around and attach itself to surfaces.  A bine circumnutates its way around a structure in a helix motion.  Small trichomes (hairs) on its epidermis hold it steady once it is in contact with another surface.  Check out this video of another common bine in the Convolvulaceae using circumnutation.

Along with reproducing sexually, hops can vegetatively reproduce by underground rhizomes. The female inflorescence is what is used in beer brewing, therefore female plants are commonly found for sale.  To ensure that customers receive a female plant they are sold pieces of the root, a rhizome. Humulus lupulus is dioecious, meaning separate plants host  female and male flowers. The female inflorescence is a catkin.  A hop catkin is a densely packed pine-coned shaped structure composed of leafy bracts, female parts, and lupulin glands. These glands carry a resin loaded with alpha acids, and essential oils, keys to the brewing industry.