I know this question has been asked many times over but I’ve seen as many different answers as there are ways to ask it. So for the umpteenth time... do folks prefer to dry hop in the primary or the secondary (if using one)? What is the EASIEST method for a newbie - not necessarily for the BEST possible result but the LEAST likelihood of mistakes.
Here is my exact situation:
-Making my first IPA, using a 5 gallon recipe that calls for dry hopping 2oz of cascade pellets
-Brewed last Sunday afternoon, fermenting now in 6.5 gal plastic bucket with spigot, and preparing to dry hop this weekend
-I will be bottling (from a second 6.5 gal plastic bucket) with priming sugar
-I have a 5 gal glass carboy, autosiphon (w/cap), and one spare muslin grain bag
-I do not have a beer fridge to crash cool
Should I...
1. Dry hop in the primary?
-sprinkle hops on top or tie in muslin bag? With weights in bag?
-rack to bottling bucket with siphon or spigot?
-save muslin bag to use as a filter for the siphon when racking to bottling bucket?
OR
2. Rack to secondary (carboy)?
-add hops to secondary before or after racking?
-tie in muslin bag or leave loose? Weight the bag?
-save muslin bag to use as a filter for the siphon when racking to bottling bucket?
Should I get a 5 gal paint filter for the bottling bucket to remove any dry hop particles that make it through the racking? I’m not overly concerned about clarity of product, I just don’t want any off flavors from sediment or contaminants. All advice appreciated!
Here is my exact situation:
-Making my first IPA, using a 5 gallon recipe that calls for dry hopping 2oz of cascade pellets
-Brewed last Sunday afternoon, fermenting now in 6.5 gal plastic bucket with spigot, and preparing to dry hop this weekend
-I will be bottling (from a second 6.5 gal plastic bucket) with priming sugar
-I have a 5 gal glass carboy, autosiphon (w/cap), and one spare muslin grain bag
-I do not have a beer fridge to crash cool
Should I...
1. Dry hop in the primary?
-sprinkle hops on top or tie in muslin bag? With weights in bag?
-rack to bottling bucket with siphon or spigot?
-save muslin bag to use as a filter for the siphon when racking to bottling bucket?
OR
2. Rack to secondary (carboy)?
-add hops to secondary before or after racking?
-tie in muslin bag or leave loose? Weight the bag?
-save muslin bag to use as a filter for the siphon when racking to bottling bucket?
Should I get a 5 gal paint filter for the bottling bucket to remove any dry hop particles that make it through the racking? I’m not overly concerned about clarity of product, I just don’t want any off flavors from sediment or contaminants. All advice appreciated!