Involved in the biosynthesis of prenylated phenolics natural products which contribute to the bitter taste of beer and display broad biological activities (Probable). Catalyzes the ligation of CoA on (E)-4-coumarate to produce (E)-4-coumaroyl-CoA (PubMed:23300257). (E)-4-coumarate + ATP + CoA = (E)-4-coumaroyl-CoA + AMP + diphosphate Secondary metabolite biosynthesis. Mostly expressed in glandular trichomes (lupulin glands) after flowering, and, to a lower extent, in stems, leaves, cones and flowers. Accumulates progressively in glandular trichomes (lupulin glands) after flowering. Both substrate-binding domains (SBD1 and SBD2) are involved in the substrate recognition, and are sufficient to confer the substrate specificity. Belongs to the ATP-dependent AMP-binding enzyme family.