A total of 19 people participated in this xBmt including multiple BJCP judges, experienced homebrewers, and craft beer cognoscenti. Each person was blindly served 2 samples of the long dry hop beer and 1 sample of the short dry hop beer in different colored cups then instructed to select the one they perceived as being unique. To achieve statistical significance given the sample size, 10 participants (p<0.05) would have had to accurately identify the short dry hop beer as being different. In this case, a statistically significant 12 tasters (p=0.003) were capable of making the correct selection, nearly all of whom reported feeling confident in their decision based solely on aroma. These results suggest the length at which a beer is dry hopped does seem to make a difference, that folks can reliably distinguish a beer dry hopped longer from one that sat on dry hops for a shorter time period.
Following the triangle test, those who correctly selected the short dry hop beer as being different proceeded to a brief evaluation comparing only the 2 different beers, still blind to the variable being tested. In terms of aroma, 5 of the 12 reported preferring the short dry hop sample, 6 perceived the samples as having no difference, and only 1 preferred the long dry hop beer. Flavor preference was a different story with 7 preferring the short dry hop beer, 4 saying they liked the long dry hop beer better, and only 1 endorsing no difference. Mouthfeel preferences were more evenly distributed, 5 saying like the short dry hop beer better, 4 preferring the long dry hop beer, and 3 noting no difference.
Overall preference, surprisingly, was split almost down the middle with 5 endorsing the short dry hop beer while 4 preferred the long dry hop beer. The last 3 reported having no particular preference for either beer, despite noticing differences between them.
My Impressions: For the first time in awhile, I was able to distinguish between these beers on a fairly consistent basis, both side-by-side and in quasi-blind triangles served to me by others. Aromatically, I perceived the short dry hop beer as possessing more dank, resinous character that was layered with citrus and tropical fruit notes, while the long dry hop beer came across as having little dank character at all. In terms of flavor, the long dry hop beer was certainly hop-forward, which to me was reminiscent of a clean juice blend, with a pleasant maltiness in the finish. The short dry hop beer had the same juice-like flavor combined with a pungent kick of resinous, danky deliciousness. While I thought both beers were fantastic, I’ll definitely be sticking to shorter dry hop lengths due to my preference for punch-you-in-the-teeth hop character as well as shorter turnaround times.
| DISCUSSION |
I find the results of this xBmt encouraging. The data supports the notion that dry hop length does indeed have an impact on beer, but there is no indication one way is better than the other, neither method produced a bad beer. I found it interesting only one person noted perceiving a “grassiness” in the long dry hop sample, a comment that came following completion of the survey and revelation of the nature of the xBmt. I couldn’t detect this in the slightest. I’m not all comfortable recommending people use my subjective impressions to make decisions, partially because I could have a ****ty palate, but it’s also highly likely dry hop character as a function of time is different for every hop, thus results from the hop bill I used may not translate to other beers. I guess what I’m saying is, try it out for yourself, determine your own preference, and don’t fret if you end up changing things up at some point.
Lastly, these results really make me want to revisit a technique a prior xBmt suggested may not have all that significant of an impact– double dry hopping. When I initially tested it, the separation between the first and second dry hop additions was only 2 days, now I’m curious if perhaps a longer span between the additions might not produce a more distinguishable result. Best of both worlds? I guess we’ll have to wait and see.
