Currents of magma within our planet move the plates that form the continental crust in a constant process that builds mountains and creates valleys. These valleys may eventually become lakes, seas, and oceans. On the surface, the greatest factor affecting Earth is sunlight. Sun provides energy for living organisms, and it drives our planet's weather and climate by creating temperature gradients in the atmosphere and oceans.
An American Standard -- Cascade hops are an all-American hop primarily whose primary use can be seen in the American Pale Ale style. They are primarily used as an aroma hop in the last half of the boil.
Humulus Lupulus (hops) are the flowering cone of a perennial vining plant and a cousin of the cannabis variety (sorry no THC in this stuff) that typically thrives in climates similar to the ones that grapes do. Hop plants are dioecious, meaning the males and females flower on separate plants -- and the female cones are used in the brewing process. Hops are the age old seasoning of the beer, the liquid gargoyles who ward-off spoilage from wild bacteria and bringers of balance to sweet malts.