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IndyPABrewGuy · 11-08-2007, 08:26 PM

This will a) be my first time dry hopping, b) be my first time using whole hops. Just a couple of simple questions.

It's an imperial IPA, I used Cascade, Chinook, Amarillo, and Simcoe in the hop schedule. I was planning on dry hopping for 6 to 7 days with:

1 oz Cascade (whole)
1 oz Chinook (whole)
1 oz Amarillo or Simcoe (whole)

Questions:
1. Enough hops?? (I know "enough" is a relative term. I'm looking for a moderate to high nose)
2. Amarillo or Simcoe? (If the hop bill is needed, let me know and I"ll post later. I don't have it in front of me)
3. Any technique suggestions for using whole hops (bags with marbles, etc.), or should I just toss them in and let the beer sort them out.
4. Better off using pellets?

I guess that's it.

Thanks,

**raceskier** · 11-08-2007, 08:45 PM

My successful attempt at dry hopping was a DFH 90 Minute clone. I used 1 oz Amarillo, .5 oz Warrior and .5 oz Simcoe, all whole (leaf) hops in a long skinny sterilized hop bag with marble weights. I have a buddy who swears by pellet hops, but he does subsequently filter and keg.

Rhoobarb · 11-08-2007, 09:10 PM

Yes, that's enough. I think 2-3 oz. of hops is ideal for a big nose. 1 oz or less gives you a subtle nose, IMHO. I only use whole leaf hops. I don't think pellets add squat to aroma. I just dump my leaf hops into the secondary fermenter prior to racking the beer.

I haven't used any Simcoe yet. Of the ones listed that I have used, I'd pick Cascade and Amarillo as the top two for a good hop nose. I make an all-Amarillo ale that is great and the smell from using just one ounce of dry hops is nice!

HBDrinker008 · 11-09-2007, 02:28 AM

I will never use pellets for dry hopping again, nothing against effectiveness but racking was a PITA

IndyPABrewGuy · 11-15-2007, 02:15 AM

Hey all. Finally dry hopped the IIPA tonight. Now I need some suggestions on a timeline. I dry hopped with 2 oz. Cascade and 1 oz Amarillo whole leaf hops.

I'm hoping to bottle on Sunday.

Is this too soon? And would bottling the following weekend be too long?

I know from reading other threads that the average time is usually 6 to 8 days. Four seems a bit short, and 10 seems a bit long.

Any info would be appreciated.

Thanks,

**Bearcat Brewmeister** · 11-15-2007, 02:25 AM

I dry hop in the secondary and again in the keg (Cascade and Simcoe in my PA). The hops in the keg stay until its drained, 4 to 6 months.

**TexLaw** · 11-15-2007, 01:32 PM

If you put the right amount of hops in there (and it sounds like you have), you can't really leave them in there too long.

TL

brewt00l · 11-15-2007, 01:48 PM

That's gonna be quite a bunch of hops...I typically dry hop my IPAs with 2 oz of whole leaf for 2 weeks tossed into the carboy. Whole leaf tend to work better than pellets for me as well (but pellets work). In your case, I would monitor the batch and pull it off the hops when you feel it's ready.

IndyPABrewGuy · 11-15-2007, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brewt00l

That's gonna be quite a bunch of hops...I typically dry hop my IPAs with 2 oz of whole leaf for 2 weeks tossed into the carboy. Whole leaf tend to work better than pellets for me as well (but pellets work). In your case, I would monitor the batch and pull it off the hops when you feel it's ready.

We're going for a pretty big nose on an IIPA that has a big hop bill. Basically, I'm worried about short changing the hops and not letting them do their thing. So what I'm deriving from this discussion is to dry hop for at least a week, if not 10 to 14 days. Am I close to being on point here?

brewt00l · 11-15-2007, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IndyPABrewGuy

We're going for a pretty big nose on an IIPA that has a big hop bill. Basically, I'm worried about short changing the hops and not letting them do their thing. So what I'm deriving from this discussion is to dry hop for at least a week, if not 10 to 14 days. Am I close to being on point here?

I usually run 10-14 days...I will take a sample when I think it is near complete and make a decision at that point.