Dry Hopping

[Bh750]

Hi all, still new here and brewing my first successful batches of cider. Loving it!!
Anyway last weekend I tried this Cider from a place called Big Hill Ciderworks while out at a local establishment. AND I LOVED IT!!

Been doing some reading on here and it seems folks have had success dry hopping their cider. This one uses 3 different hops, they call "the legendary three Cs"

Thoughts on using a combination of these hops?


LITTLE ROUND HOP 5.5%ABVL

To elevate this cider’s bright, citrusy personality, we’ve dry-hopped it, using a blend of whole leaf Columbus, Centennial & Cascade hops – the legendary “three C’s.” Organic lemongrass focuses the hop overtones and adds a citrusy finish to this light and effervescent cider.

 

[MarkKF]

cider beer and dry hopped cider are not the same thing
cider beer require malted grain as well

 

[Bh750]

sorry. semantics. I updated my post to say I tried "cider".

 

[MarkKF]

No problem just trying to understand what we're talking about.

 

[fofusak]

I think I'd try Citra, centennial and cascade as my 3 c's, both theirs and mine sound yummy IMHO

Try any, or better yet, both combinations and let us know!

 

[Bh750]

great will do. been researching a bit. Can get 1oz packaets of hop "pellets" versus 1lb bafgs of actual hop plants. Either one should work??

So sounds like "dry hopping" is simply placing the pellets/hops in the batch once fermentation is done? maybe after racking to secondary? and leave there for a short time, testing frequently b/c the hops and cider are delicate. I saw some creative ways to keep the hops submersed/suspended during the process.

 

[MarkKF]

I dry hopped with pellets in a mesh bag long after fermentation ended and the cider had cleared.

 

[fofusak]

I've dry hopped just like you said. with pellets (plants would do too) in secondary. actually I only do secondary when dry hopping.

 

[Bh750]

awesome. I'm gonna get some of the following:

- columbus
- centennial
- cascade
(these are the 3 along with lemon grass the cider I liked listed)
- citra - since so many people recommend

Try different amounts and times and experiment with 1 gallon batches.

exciting!!!

 

[HopGobbler]

I've used Jarrylo Hops a couple times with great results, the 3 C's are some of my favorite hops, I'm interested to hear how they come out. A citra dry hop would definitely be awesome

 

[Bh750]

Hops arriving later today. Cold crashed batch to stop fermentation. Transferred to secondary. Will measure out a small amount of combined hops and drop into batch. I heard 1 to 4 ounces per 5 gallon batch is a good place to start I do on3 Gallon batches so this will be a small amount!

I may split the batch in half to give me more combinations to try.

Thinking I'll have some feedback sometime on friday!

 

[bernardsmith]

You don't want to dry hop for more than about a week - 10 days at most. After that the dominant flavor shifts to very grassy and you lose the citrus notes of those hops

 

[Bh750]

So hops arrived yesterday. First time I've ever even seen a hop let alone worked with any. I LOVED the aroma they put off, smelled like an IPA

Working with a 1 gallon batch of cider that I cold crashed and moved into secondary I:

1) Measured out about a half ounce mix of: columbus, citra, and cascade

2) simply dropped them into the carboy

They immediately started to fizz and dissolve a bit, giving off a strong aroma. I hope I didnt used too much!

As of this morning the hops have dissolved into a mush and settled on both the top and the bottom.

My plan is to siphon off a bit each day and test. Will have to pull it from the middle of the batch.

Will take first taste today at the 24 hour mark and post an update!

 

[HopGobbler]

You should be good, I'd let it go a few days before pulling any out

 

[Bh750]

Ok so I dropped them in last Thursday. Racked the batch to a new container on Tuesday. Total 5 days. Initial tastes so far seem positive. Will know once I force carb and pour a glass tomorrow night.

Originally I thought I used too much b/c the aroma and taste tests were pretty strong. But I think it might be right.

Also, these hop pellets sure do make a mess in the brew. I had a layer on the top and the bottom of my 1 gallon carboy. And pretty murky inbetween.

 

[HammeredDwarf]

I put mine in a cheesecloth sock. Cuts down one the mess. I dont use the pellets so they are contained in the bag of better. Then when im done i jest pull the sock out and done.

 

[Bh750]

Well just finishing up my 2nd try with this and I have to say the results are really good. Funny I can no longer compare it to the beer that I liked so cant say if this is great or not. but really simple and easy for a different, hoppy taste. will keep it and will try to buy some of the beer I liked here and compare it.