Can dry hopping cause overflow?

Lefe21 said:

Just racked into my secondary (5 g carboy) after 5 days in primary. Trying dry hopping for the first time. Concerned about how there is about 1-2 inches from the air-lock. I just racked about an hour ago.

Has anyone experienced an overflow in the secondary due to dry hopping? I added 1 ounce of cascade pellets by the way. If it does start to overflow should I remove the air-lock? I don't have a blow off tube available to what else would be a good option to avoid the risk of contamination?

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WorryWort said:

I've actually heard from a Pro Brewer that dry hopping can cause overflow even as the fermentation stalls. I don't know the reason, and it'a anecdotal but I believe it is possible.

He's had a few explosions so he waits until it's totally done then dry hops.

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Bob said:

+1, you jive turkey!

[/1970s blaxploitation film accent]

Not only does CO2 off-gassing scrub volatile, aromatic hops oils, the pellets breaking apart add an almost infinite amount of nucleation sites where even more CO2 can devolve. That can cause a nice gush of green, nasty foam.

Cheers,

Bob

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