Mash Hopping

[FatGaz]

Has anyone tried this?

Whats it all about?

[seymour]

Following are two of the better commentaries I've read:

from the Beersmith Blog
http://beersmith.com/blog/2008/11/11/be ... mebrewing/

Mash hopping is simply the addition of hops directly to the mash tun itself. The hops are often placed on top of the grain bed and left to sit as the mash is sparged. Mash hopping is reported to provide a better overall balance and character to the beer, though it adds almost no bitterness.

Mash hopping is seldom used today because it requires a fairly large amount of hops and adds very little in direct flavor. Since the hops are never boiled, no bitterness is released and most of the flavorful oils from the hop flower are lost in the boil that follows.

Brewers today theorize that most of the reported benefits from mash hopping are a byproduct of lower pH from mash hopping and not the hops itself. Given the high cost of hops, as well as many cheaper methods exist for controlling the pH of your wort, I’m not sure why a homebrewer would choose to mash hop.

from Stupid Stuff All Brewers Should Know But Often Don't: Brewhouse Operations http://www.probrewer.com/resources/stup ... whouse.php

Mash Hopping is one old idea that is new again. The theory (yes it is a theory) is that by adding hops in the mash, the oils will bind to the proteins in the mash and be carried through the process. Allowing the brewer, because of the very specific temperature of the mash (warmer than the fermenter, cooler than the whirlpool), to extract aroma and flavor in a very unique way that is not possible using the conventional hopping process. Also, when you're using hops in the mash (as long as they are whole leaf and in a hop sock) those same hops can then be added to the boil because the alpha acids have not been utilized yet; this also works with dry hopping. Mash Hopping allows the brewer to use every last little bit of the hop. The process does take some secluding and some flexibility with flavor profile since there are really no calculations for this process, but if you are in a small, flexible microbrewery environment, this is a fun process to experiment with and you can achieve flavors and aromas other can't necessarily match.

I've also read that mash hopping can help prevent gummy mashes, thus aiding in run-off, similar to using rice hulls. That much I can testify to. Since I grow my own hops and buy bulk whole hops, I often have older stock that I don't trust for my primary bittering and aroma kettle hops. I've stirred-in mash hops many times, particularly with historically-accurate beer styles like Finnish Sahti, Belgian farmhouse ales, and big beers intended for aging/souring.

I certainly enjoyed the resulting balanced beers, no complaints, but I couldn't quantify exactly which attributes came from the mash hops, per se. I wouldn't buy hops specifically for this purpose, if that helps. My advice would be, "eh, smoke 'em if you got 'em." For what it's worth, mash hops are an essential step in the brewing of Russian River Pliny the Elder, widely considered one of the world's greatest beers:
http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/russian-ri ... lder/8936/

[boingy]

Pah! Mash hops are for girls. Real men put the hops in the HLT.

[alfie09]

really boingy? you ever tried it?. i have mashed hopped before, going to do it the weekend dony know why but i will. FWH, mash hops, steep hops, dry hops for my ipas

[seymour]

Pah! Mash hops are for girls. Real men put the hops in the HLT.

I saw another good one on a different mash hopping forum, something like, "I hop my Star San, top that!"

[boingy]

Pah! Mash hops are for girls. Real men put the hops in the HLT.

I saw another good one on a different mash hopping forum, something like, "I hop my Star San, top that!"

I suppose I could dump a load of hops into the Severn and/or Trent, thus treating the water at source. Might get a bit expensive though...

[BeerEagle]

I suppose I could dump a load of hops into the Severn and/or Trent, thus treating the water at source. Might get a bit expensive though...

And exterminate the canine population of the South West.

My spent grains need to be hop-free or brewdog doesn't get his treats.

[FatGaz]

Thanks Seymour - very interesting - think I will give it a go - I've got tons of Goldings from my mates hop plants (he doesn't brew)

[seymour]

...I've got tons of Goldings from my mates hop plants (he doesn't brew)

You lucky dog! Use em for aroma hops or dry hops too, definitely.

[zgoda]

Did that once. Much flavour, some aroma, cann't say for bitterness but I guess a little to none. I've put 50% more than usually for flavour/aroma (30 gms for a batch of 21 ltr). Hops used: Fuggle and Lubelski. Flavour overpowered by Lubelski's spiciness.