Dead Ringer

[Randy-z]

This is my second brew, I have the dead ringer extract, it has been in primary for 12 days between 62 and 68 degrees. starting gravity was about 1.075 to 1.080, I took a sample yesterday it is 1.020, should I add the dry hops now to primary and just keep it there or should I move to secondary then dry hop? or I should I wait a few more days before doing anything?
Thanks up front

 

[MrFancyPlants]

From my limited experience I would say go ahead and dry hop now in primary. The hops can actually help the yeast out with the tail end of the fermentation, and the yeast will help scrub the oxygen off of the hops.

Then bottle or keg in a week or two.

 

[BrotherBock]

The hops can actually help the yeast out with the tail end of the fermentation

Never heard that before.

But yeah, throw the dry hops in now and bottle as planned. No need for a secondary.

 

[mrgrimm101]

From my limited experience I would say go ahead and dry hop now in primary. The hops can actually help the yeast out with the tail end of the fermentation, and the yeast will help scrub the oxygen off of the hops.

Then bottle or keg in a week or two.

I've never heard this either. I never dry hop before fermentation is complete. I've always read that if the yeast is still active, they can strip away some of the hop oils that contribute to aroma and flavor..the oil clings to the yeast and it settles out when the yeast falls out of suspension. I would wait another couple days and take another gravity reading. If it still reads 1.020, then dry hop in primary and then bottle 5-7 days later..whatever you're comfortable with. No need for a secondary.

 

[MrFancyPlants]

I did a quick search for my source on the hops fueling yeast and I can't seem to find it anywhere, so maybe I made it up. I believe what I read was that the nitrogen in the hops acted as a yeast nutrient, which makes sense, but I suppose if the yeast is already healthy then it would likely not have much of an impact.
I'll stand by my recommendations though.. Or wait a few more days and then dryhop in primary.

Good luck, and I hope your beer turns out fantastic.

 

[flars]

The Dead Ringer IPA is one of my favorites. FG has always been 1.008 to 1.009 with WY 1056.
Are you using a refractometer or hydrometer for SG?

If you are using a hydrometer, delay dry hopping, your fermentation is not done yet.

 

[pablosbrewing]

The Dead Ringer IPA is one of my favorites. FG has always been 1.008 to 1.009 with WY 1056.
Are you using a refractometer or hydrometer for SG?

If you are using a hydrometer, delay dry hopping, your fermentation is not done yet.

+1

Ideally you wait until it starts to clear and then dry hop - especially with a high floc yeast (like 1056).

 

[cyberbrew]

I'd say, check the gravity tomorrow and Sun, if it hasn't changed you have a choice. I haven't brewed the Dead Ringer kit, but from the above posts and seeing that it uses WY 1056 I would expect it to finish lower than 1.020. Your options in my mind are:

-Dry hop away or
-Try to get the yeast going again by bumping up the temp a bit maybe giving it a swirl etc.
-Third and more extreme (costly) option would be to add more yeast to get it going again, but I probably wouldn't go that route at 1.020

Either way, you're making tasty beer...

 

[Randy-z]

I used the safeale dry yeast, I started the dry hop yesterday. I hope it turns out ok, I know I tasted the sample and it was pretty bitter.

 

[Randy-z]

Been in the bottle for about a month, tried it last night and it had good carb, good aroma, and a nice taste but very bitter on the backend, way to bitter for me. do you think the bitterness will go away with age?

 

[Homercidal]

Been in the bottle for about a month, tried it last night and it had good carb, good aroma, and a nice taste but very bitter on the backend, way to bitter for me. do you think the bitterness will go away with age?

It's an IPA, so ideally you will drink it all before the hop flavor fades, which is way before the bitterness fades.

Do you drink IPA's much?

If you think it's not right, offer a bottle to someone who's familiar with IPAs and ask them if it's normal. Sometimes they can take a few bottles to get used to.

 

[solbes]

Agreed, maybe IPA's are not your thing. 2 Hearted is a "gateway" IPA for many folks (myself included) in that it tastes great and is on the lower side of the IBU's for an IPA.

I'm assuming you followed the hop schedule correctly and didn't overdo the 60 minute addition? I've done their extract kit once, and 3-4 all grain versions with slight tweaks. All were tasty and none were very bitter IMO.

If you do regularly drink IPA's and it still seems too bitter, then there should be further investigation.

 

[Randy-z]

Actually this is my first time to drink a IPA. My 2 boys who drink IPA said it is a little more bitter than most, but not unbearable.