Crap! Forgot finishing hops! Quick!

chungking · Nov 9, 2012

Just finished a 1hour boil, removed pot from burner, added remaining extract, and have been letting it sit for 10 minutes. Then I realize I forgot to add the aroma hops at 5 minutes! I quickly threw them in. The wort is only about 180 degrees.

Is this going to do anything at all, or should I bring it back up to boiling for 5 minutes? Should I have just dry hopped them?

JonM · Nov 9, 2012

RDWHAHB. It'll be fine. You've just made a 0 min addition instead of a 5 min. It'll be good either way. Cheers!

metanoia · Nov 9, 2012

Dry hopping would work to produce a somewhat similar result, but it sounds like you're more than okay, especially if the wort hasn't been cooled yet. Shouldn't make much difference at all. :mug:

chungking · Nov 9, 2012

I figured it be ok, I was just worried about the temp of the wort. Does it have to be at boiling temps in order for it to utilize these hops properly? I threw them in around 180, it's at 170 degrees now...

zeg · Nov 9, 2012

You'll get a bit less bitterness, since the boil is what converts the alpha acids into the bitter compounds. However, you weren't going to get a whole lot of IBUs from a five minute addition. In exchange, you'll probably get more aroma.

At this point, though, there's nothing to be done. You'll find out what the effect is, but I can all but guarantee it's not going to give you bad beer.

xjmox14x · Nov 9, 2012

In all honesty, you'd get, what, 5 ibu's out of a strong aroma hop from a 5 min addition? You won't notice it. Throw them in as a dry hop and you'll be good to go. Very little difference.

If you missed your 60 minute addition, I'd be worried. But 5 minute, dry hop and you're good to go.