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Can somone please explain to me how hops are used in homebrew. I've done a little research, but the more I read, the more confused I get.
For example, a recipe asks for Finishing 15g of Fuggles.
What are Finishing hops? I've read there are other types as well. What do they do?
How are the hops added to the fermenter?
At what stage are they added?
Hope somone can help..

Bundybear

Go the Wallabies!!!

right, i have a habit of waffling on so ill try and keep this concise.

hops are hops, the difference in there name. eg cascade and fuggles, is that there are different amounts of chemical compounds that create different flavors.
now these different amounts of compounds are generally singled out to the level of alpha acid they contain (to keep it simple), now looking at these alpha acid Laval's you can divide hops into there main 2 category's, bittering and aroma.

bittering hops.
the higher the levels of alpha acid the better a hop is at bittering, these hops are generally added into boiling water, the heat makes the acids dissolve into the water and the fragrances boil away.

aroma hops
the lower the alpha acid the Hoppy has the more suited it will be to giving your beer that Hoppy aroma, these are better added to-wards the end of the boil so as to dissolve the oils but not boil the fragrances away.

so to recap, bittering hops and aroma hops and finishing hops and all types of hops are exactly the same, they are just used at different times in the brewing process to get the best out of the hops.

finishing hops are just the name given to hops added ether at the end of the boil of cold into the fermenter, you can add hops at any time in the brewing process. you just chuck them into the fermenter if you want, about 2 days from bottling with aroma hops is a favorite to top iT the aroma, i usually chuck in my finishing hops as I'm chilling the brew down to pitching temps and then just leave them in when i transfer to the fermenter.

hope this helps and if you have any more questions i will be happy to try and help you.

Well put, Munkey.

Yes, when you hear "finishing hops" it just means that the hops are added at the very end of the boil, to give aroma to the beer.

Likewise, you may also hear of "dry hopping". This is adding hops to the fermenting beer or even fermented beer, and has a similar effect to using finishing hops.

Cheers,

Oliver

Thankyou Munkey and Oliver. That answers my question.Nice work.

munkey wrote:about 2 days from bottling with aroma hops is a favorite to top iT the aroma

....can you explain this a bit better...im not sure if you have left something out but what the hell is "top iT the aroma"??

about 2 days from bottling, is a favourite (time) to hop with the aroma(hops).

yardglass wrote:about 2 days from bottling, is a favourite (time) to hop with the aroma(hops).

Awesome, thanks for that yardy....I think I was just having a blonde moment or something, it just didnt make sense!

it was ment to read "top UP the aroma"

im quite partal to a blonde now and then, but they do have a tendency to go blanc, espechaly when ther from the continent. he he he..

Also dont get stuck into the mindset you can only bitter with high alpha hops... You need more but lower alpha hops can be used to bitter with a very nice affect on the taste...

Make a beer with the same malt, change the variety and quantity of hops and you can end up with a totally different style of beer....

englend victorious "ashes 2005"

Geez Munkey your spelling is atrocious!!!

But when you can't spell your country's name correctly, you know you have serious problems!!!!

(All tounge in cheek to avoid any nasty replies)

I just think he was pissed typing.

Its a long story folks,

You may want to leave it alone, just my opinion though

Dogger

it looks like ill be needing the spell checker again guys. of all the forums in all the world the bloody litracy police have to brew there own bloody beer.

only been back 5 mins and your allready on my back.

A very similar thread moved on to the spelling topic: http://www.homebrewandbeer.com/forum/vi ... .php?t=550

Cheers,
Greg

Interesting. But all in all who really gives a rats ass

It's a joke guys.........................

Just thought it was funny that Munkey spelled England as "Englend", that's all

tbh i like the banter. everyone on hear has there gripes and moans, strenths and weeknesses. its all good, let the banter flow and the good times role thats what i say.
there is a time and a place for it like and i agree its not in the making beer section.

but non the less its good to be back dispite the distinkt lack of activity and new questions.

Rat's arse, actually..........[/b][/i]

Rats bum maybe, didn't mean anything by it. Here's to hops for all their aroma and bitterness.
I'm looking into getting a keg system set up. Fingers crossed, can't wait.

Extension of the thread.

What about dry hopping at the same time as adding finings?

Any impact ?