pilsner dry hopping

pilsner dry hopping


I was thinking in addition to doing a czech pilsner with saaz hops; it may aslo be a good idea to dry hop as well.


Your thoughts?

First, pilsners shouldn't be dry hopped...but that's kinda beside the point. IME, Saaz makes a poor dry hop. Vegetal and grassy.

Denny said:

First, pilsners shouldn't be dry opped...but that'skinda beside the point. IME, Saaz makes a poor dry hop. Vegetal and grassy.

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I agree. I've been trying for years to make a great pils. Imo, pils are hard to do well. I can never get the big fresh hop nose to hang around. Ie victory prima pils. I've dry hopped with saaz. Bad idea. I just kegged a saphir pils that I dry hopped. I think I might be onto something with this one.

If I didnt specify; I was thinking of saaz for the boil and chinook or citra for a dry hop. But most likely I wont dry hop and save my hops for an pale ale.

Denny said:

First, pilsners shouldn't be dry hopped...but that's kinda beside the point. IME, Saaz makes a poor dry hop. Vegetal and grassy.

Click to expand...

I dunno... I used to work with a Czech guy that had worked at a couple breweries in the Czech Republic and he told me that a fair number did dry hop their beer. *shrug* Granted that is second hand knowledge, but I have no reason to think he was B.S.ing me.

That being said, I have never done it and don't think I would. I like to hit it hard at the 10 minute and flame out marks and have always had the character I was shooting for.

Remember also that dry hopping can lead (sometimes) to "hop haze" due to hop oils. Pilsner is supposed to be crystal clear or displaying a light chill haze.

I dry hopped a pilsner with Spalter hops. It had great aroma and flavor.