Hopped Buch

[Fannahh]

Has anyone experimented with hops in Kombucha? Brewing a 2 gallon batch this weekend and thinking of dry hopping in a keg during the second ferment.

 

[jimmyjusa]

No experience but would like to see others experiences. I have read if using the pellets only 4-6 are needed per pint. I think I'm going to try getting fresh hops locally, it's supposed to give the flavors but less bitter

 

[jimmyjusa]

Minor update, went to a home brew store today and he said pellets tend to get overly bitter and recommended whole leaf hops, to I bought an ounce of them and will report back how they do

 

[Brew_G]

Has anyone experimented with hops in Kombucha? Brewing a 2 gallon batch this weekend and thinking of dry hopping in a keg during the second ferment.

I have.

Last batch was one gallon, into which I threw 0.75oz of Amarillo a few days before I was ready to bottle it. Let it sit for a couple days, then crashed in the fridge for a few more before bottling with some fresh ginger. Turned out fantastic. Really nice aroma and full of that fruitiness you can get from Amarillo. There's a very sight bitterness I get from it, too, but I really like what that does for the kombucha overall.

Definitely go for it if it's something you’re interested in trying!

 

[jimmyjusa]

Following up, just tried my first batch. The scent is nice and hoppy using citra hops. I reused store bought bottles and put enough full leaf hops to barely cover the bottom of the bottle in a single layer. I'll be using more on the next batch to get more flavor but it tastes fine.

 

[Fannahh]

Update: I tried two batches. For the first batch I used a black tea base for the Booch and dry hopped it with one ounce of centennial hop pellets. I removed the SCOBY and added the hops to the entire batch, letting it sit for a few days. For the second fermentation I added a pinch of ginger to each bottle. I found this batch too strong. There were too many strong flavours going on and I had to mix it with ginger ale to make it enjoyable.

The second batch worked much better and I enjoyed it quite a bit! I used a green tea/honey base for the booch and added one ounce of citra to the batch a few days before I was ready to start the secondary ferment. This time I tied the hops in cheese cloth instead of letting them dissolve into the tea. For the secondary ferment, I added a few frozen berries to each bottle (a mix of cherries, blueberries, and blackberries). The result was a light, bubbly, dry, refreshing booch.

 

[jimmyjusa]

Update: I tried two batches. For the first batch I used a black tea base for the Booch and dry hopped it with one ounce of centennial hop pellets. I removed the SCOBY and added the hops to the entire batch, letting it sit for a few days. For the second fermentation I added a pinch of ginger to each bottle. I found this batch too strong. There were too many strong flavours going on and I had to mix it with ginger ale to make it enjoyable.

The second batch worked much better and I enjoyed it quite a bit! I used a green tea/honey base for the booch and added one ounce of citra to the batch a few days before I was ready to start the secondary ferment. This time I tied the hops in cheese cloth instead of letting them dissolve into the tea. For the secondary ferment, I added a few frozen berries to each bottle (a mix of cherries, blueberries, and blackberries). The result was a light, bubbly, dry, refreshing booch.

Were they pellets you used both times?

 

[Fannahh]

Yes, pellets both times

 

[jimmyjusa]

I used the full leaf citra and really enjoyed the aroma. Flavor was a little light so I'm trying a bottle with extra to see if I'll get more hop flavor.

 

[jodell]

I dry hopped my buch with Amarillo pellets and an orange slice. It was perfect.

High Alpha hops do give a sharp bitterness

 

[lateknightucd]

I dry hopped my buch with Amarillo pellets and an orange slice. It was perfect.

High Alpha hops do give a sharp bitterness

Any idea what is causing the bitterness? Obviously in brewing the AA are isomerized creating bitterness during the boil. With no heat being applied can anyone comment on what the mechanism might be with booch?

 

[Calder]

The pith of the orange (white layer just under the zest) is supposed to add bitterness.

I don't know if that is the issue. Just a thought.

 

[GRBC]

Hop pellets are really bitter. Ever try putting a pellet in your mouth (hint: don’t)?