Dry Hopping in Primary on top of Krausen?

[mattdnyc]

I have an extract batch of a Dogfish 60 clone in primary. I've reached (and maintained) my final gravity. However there is still a thick layer of yeasty krausen laying on top of the wort.

If I want to dry hop this in primary, should I wait for this krausen to fall? I know, RDWHAHB, not trying to rush the process just curious as to what point I should add the dry hops.

 

[NorCalAngler]

You should add the dry hops when FG is reached. The krausen hanging out on top shouldn't affect the dry hop too much. If anything, disturbing the beer may help you knock it down. Are you going to transfer to secondary to dry hop or put them straight into the primary?

 

[mattdnyc]

I'm adding them straight into the primary. I don't own a carboy (using an Ale Pail), so I was just going to sprinkle the hop pellets right on top.

 

[BendBrewer]

I'm adding them straight into the primary. I don't own a carboy (using an Ale Pail), so I was just going to sprinkle the hop pellets right on top.

If you still have a krausen atop your brew, there is still co2 pushing out of the vessel.

As this co2 escapes through the airlock, it is going to take some of that hop aroma from the dry hops out with it.

You are better off to allow the initial fermentation to finish up more before dry hopping or you will lose some of the effect that you are looking to get out of it.

 

[storunner13]

I would let the beer ferment for 2 weeks from brew day, then dry hop for 7 days, then bottle. Don't let the hops sit in there for too long, as there could be a chance of getting some "grassy" flavors from them. Plus, 3 weeks of fermentation, even in a bucket should be fine.

 

[BioBeing]

I'm adding them straight into the primary. I don't own a carboy (using an Ale Pail), so I was just going to sprinkle the hop pellets right on top.

While I have done this, let me just tell you that you will get a very cloudy beer if you do this. It is better to put the hops in a paint strainer before you throw them in.

Just make sure primary fermentation is well and truly over. I'd give it at least two, maybe 3 or even 4, weeks in primary before adding the dry hops - then give them 7 days and bottle/keg.

 

[jalgayer]

There is not a problem with dry hopping in the primary. There will be a lot of 'stuff' in there so getting a reasonably clear beer to the bottling bucket may be tough.

As far as using a bag, there are many, many people that mention that this decreases the effectiveness of the hops.

I dryhopped a 'pliny' clone with ~6oz of pellet hops without a paint bag and it cleared great.

What I did to help was as I was straining it, I kept a mesh bag on the end of the auto siphon (the part that was in the bottling bucket) and it caught all the floaties and what not.