Hey folks: I will be harvesting hops next year from a 3 or 4 year old plant. Living in a high humidity area, I was concerend about quality drying. Then it occurred to me to freeze them fresh.
Possible problems:
1) weight-obviously dry hops weigh less so I have to figure out how much less. I'm thinking 10-20% max. I'll just weigh some, dry them down and reweigh. So if I figure this into the equation I should get my bitterness levels close.
2) Does drying the hops improve/increase AA levels? I'm thinking just the opposite. Fresher is better, no? May have to figure this into the equation.
3) Dry hopping might pose a problem. if the frozen hops harbor any pathogens(ie. mold spores) off flavors may result. I might 'frozen' dry hop half a batch and dry hop the other half.
Wouldn't it be cool to have a "REALLY" fresh hopped brew. I am going to try one batch with hops, just of the vine. Has anyone tried? If so how did it go? Charlie
Possible problems:
1) weight-obviously dry hops weigh less so I have to figure out how much less. I'm thinking 10-20% max. I'll just weigh some, dry them down and reweigh. So if I figure this into the equation I should get my bitterness levels close.
2) Does drying the hops improve/increase AA levels? I'm thinking just the opposite. Fresher is better, no? May have to figure this into the equation.
3) Dry hopping might pose a problem. if the frozen hops harbor any pathogens(ie. mold spores) off flavors may result. I might 'frozen' dry hop half a batch and dry hop the other half.
Wouldn't it be cool to have a "REALLY" fresh hopped brew. I am going to try one batch with hops, just of the vine. Has anyone tried? If so how did it go? Charlie