dry hopping methods

[nigelsch]

I have been AG brewing for a few years now and am currently experimenting with the hop
schedule as it seems there are loads of choices. Anyways dry hopping is one I'd be interested
in other peoples experiences, especially those that have tried different methods.

I love the new world hops and dry hopping. I havnt changed my method other than the hop and amount.
I dont hop the FV, just bung in the hops in the cornie during barrelling, job done. The other methods seem to be
1) Dry hop the FV at the later stage and leave a week or so before barrelling
2) Secondary FV dry hop, which I'm not sure I want the hassle of
3) Barrel condition 1st & then add hops before drinking

I seem to always be behind on brewing and want to get to the stage where my beer condition's a tad more.
So if I keep to my method of adding the hops when I barrel and then leave a month, could I be developing
that grassy taste from the hops or loosing the aroma, hence method 3)?

Interested in experiences cheers, Nige

[TC2642]

I'm doing my Citra IPA with the first method you described, bottled it today and it smells amazing. Never really been one for dry hopping but decided to because I've heard such good things about Citra. I don't use a secondary FV so no idea how that would work. Will report back in a couple of weeks after initial tasting.

I've always found that if you want to dry hop your keg I think it's best to start drinking after about two weeks, which is the usual time I start on a keg.

[simco999]

Due to a - ahem - production error - I dry hopped my last AG - do you remove them at some point?

I've just got a nasty feeling they will go mouldy and ruin my brew.

[scuppeteer]

Generally don't leave them in for more than a week. I usually cold condition and dry hop at the same time, then either bottle or barrel.

[techtone]

I've used one of those cafettiere type things to steep the hops in hot water for 20 minutes and add to keg before adding the beer, to VERY good affect e.g. with cascade in a hophead type beer. No mess, no hassle.

[simco999]

Interesting idea!!

[nigelsch]

cheers guys all useful stuff.

So it looks like if your barrelling and dont drink it within a few weeks then dry hop aroma must be done before
longer term barrel. The "tea aroma method" looks interesting, saves hops blocking my FV.

[mysterio]

My favourite method is to get some nice fresh pellet hops and throw a good amount in a secondary fermenter, then rack to keg after a week at room temps. Next best is a muslin sack full of hops that is weighed down and agitated regularly. The hops have to be intensely aromatic out of the bag or theres no point dry hopping with them.

[orlando]

I've only dry hopped in a couple of ways 1) Dry hopped the keg 2) dry hopped the FV during second week of fermentation then kegged. Of the two the latter has been the most successful but THE most important thing is the amount and type. 40g in 25 litres works really well, Cascade has been the most powerful aroma hop.

[Scooby]

My favourite method is to get some nice fresh pellet hops and throw a good amount in a secondary fermenter, then rack to keg after a week at room temps. Next best is a muslin sack full of hops that is weighed down and agitated regularly. The hops have to be intensely aromatic out of the bag or theres no point dry hopping with them.

My method as well but I don't use a secondary vessel just throw them in when the ferment has slowed, usually after 4-7 days depending on the beer.
Keeping the beer at about 18c is best as the effect takes longer the cooler the beer. I take the temp right down for a couple of days before racking to keg.

[nigelsch]

Cheers guys helpful stuff.

It looks like most of you dry hop outside of the cornie or tea hop. Will give it a go and see how it turns out.