Dry Hopping ?

[Twista]

I'm sure this has been addressed before, but once more for those to intoxicated to recall :I'm wondering how to dry hop and what benefits there are ?Any input greatly appreciated !

[Chris]

Throw the hops into secondary. Let float for a few weeks. Bottle beer.

I love simple brewing techniques.

As for benefits, it gives your brew aroma. Remembering that a decent percentage of taste is influenced by smell, it is well worth it.

Just make sure you pick a hop that has good aroma. I like cascade, amarillo, and generally the noble hops.

[NTRabbit]

You might also want to put the hops into a hop or grain bag before throwing them into the fermenter, not quite as messy.

[scblack]

You might also want to put the hops into a hop or grain bag before throwing them into the fermenter, not quite as messy.

Good point - my natural assumption for dry hopping is that you would be using tea-bag style hop bags.

But not necessarily so, I guess.

[Chris]

I go the old stocking method myself.

[Tipsy]

I reckon you get more out of them if you boil them for a minute first

[Twista]

thanks guys , is there a way to do this without racking for secondry ?

[scblack]

I reckon you get more out of them if you boil them for a minute first

If you are boiling them lightly, thats better known as steeping rather than dry hopping.

My understanding is this:
Dry-hopping - adds more AROMA
Steeping in boiled water, but not really boiling - adds more FLAVOUR
Boiling for up to 20mins - adds more BITTERNESS.

[scblack]

thanks guys , is there a way to do this without racking for secondry ?

Dry hopping I just drop the tea bag style hops in when I chuck in the yeast. No need to go in a secondary.

[Chris]

If you don't want to rack, the 'teabag' works well. I dry hop in 2ndary myself.

I'm with scblack on the boiling thing. Even after a minute of boiling the hops have lost 1/2 their aroma potential.

[Beerdrinker32]

any probs with infection dry hopping? do you just open it up and in she goes?

[Oliver]

Yep, just chuck it straight in. The chances of infection are infinitesimal due to the much lower sugar levels at the stage of dry hopping and the fact there's a bit of alcohol there to inhibit any infections.

If you're worried you can always pour a little boiling water over the hops before you put them in the fermenter, although this won't have exactly the same effect as true dry hopping.

All I'd say about dry hopping is that it's a legitimate and common brewing practice and don't be afraid to try it.

Cheers,

Oliver

[NickMoore]

Some brewers report a "grassy" taste from dry hopping, which can be addressed by pouring boiled water over them briefly apparently.

[gregb]

More on this: http://www.homebrewandbeer.com/forum/vi ... .php?t=119

Cheers,
Greg

[BierMeister]

Yep, just chuck it straight in. The chances of infection are infinitesimal due to the much lower sugar levels at the stage of dry hopping and the fact there's a bit of alcohol there to inhibit any infections.

If you're worried you can always pour a little boiling water over the hops before you put them in the fermenter, although this won't have exactly the same effect as true dry hopping.

All I'd say about dry hopping is that it's a legitimate and common brewing practice and don't be afraid to try it.

Cheers,

Oliver

I agree with Oliver and will add for info that Hops were originally added to Beer etc.. due to its preservative factor. So it is assumed that unless you drop your hops in some bacteria infested goo then it would help keep your beer even longer.

[chris.]

Some brewers report a "grassy" taste from dry hopping, which can be addressed by pouring boiled water over them briefly apparently.

I agree. I don't dry hop much at all these days & prefer to steep for 5-10mins instead. I find it gives a great aroma (perhaps not quite the same as dry hopping) & saves on hops too.

[Tipsy]

Some brewers report a "grassy" taste from dry hopping, which can be addressed by pouring boiled water over them briefly apparently.

I agree. I don't dry hop much at all these days & prefer to steep for 5-10mins instead. I find it gives a great aroma (perhaps not quite the same as dry hopping) & saves on hops too.

I third that opinion

[Aussie Claret]

Hi,
I have actually done both ways, dry hopping and steeping. The amount of aroma and flavour you get from dry hopping is substantially greater IMHO.
Cheers
AC

[dickTed]

A coffee plunger is good for late hopping with pellets. Chucking can cause clogging in your bottle filler valve. Well it happened to me.