The hops are the key. All else is balderdash...
As a brewer for almost 20 years, I am curious what you mean that anything but hops is balderdash. While hops are indeed critical to a good Beer, malted barley is just as critical. Barley provides the sugars ferment, gives the beer color from light pilsners to dark scouts, and and a myriad of sweet flavors that are balanced by the hops . A good top or bottom for Menting fermenting yeast, maybe some Irish Moss or calcium carbonate and you are good to go.
Hops are apparently a late addition to beer.
Founding fathers did not use it, I am told.
The hops are the key. All else is balderdash...
<><><><
LOL.
I like a good hoppy ale as much as anyone, but without the other ingredients, hops is, well, just hops.