Leaf hops vs. hop pellets

[gabeinAK]

So, my first batch I used hop pellets (no particular reason) and for the second I got regular leaf hops. My question is, do you measure them the same? Does 1/2 oz. of pellets equal 1/2 oz. of regular hops? And what is the advantage of one over the other?

 

[NineMilBill]

Yes, a pound of feathers and a pound of lead weigh EXACTLY the same. The "leaf" hops can be put into a convienent hop bag and pulled out at the end of the boil, while the pellet hops are typically thrown into the brew kettle and make, in my experience, a little more junk that catches in the filter when pouring into my primary. There's more techincal info concerning Alpha Acid utilization, how much wort each soaks up, how well they store, etc. - it just depends on how deep you want to go into the rabbit hole. You can also scroll to the bottom of this page and read a bunch of other threads on the same issue for further information.

 

[Calichusetts]

I believe you use 25% less when its pellets...and there will be less absorption as well so pay attention to your water levels

EDIT- Pellets will get better utilization but can clog up your kettle...cones usually have better flavor and aroma but absorb wort. Hope this helps

 

[duboman]

I believe you use 25% less when its pellets...and there will be less absorption as well so pay attention to your water levels

EDIT- Pellets will get better utilization but can clog up your kettle...cones usually have better flavor and aroma but absorb wort. Hope this helps

+1, because of the difference in the utilization rate you need less pellets than leaf to achieve the same IBU and if using software to calculate, it will do it for you as long as you note the type of hop being used.

+1 to absorption as well, leaf hops will suck up a lot of wort so you will need to up your volume to achieve the same batch size. I've done 2-4 oz of leaf both in the boil and dry hop and lose about 1/2 gallon to absorption.

 

[gabeinAK]

Thanks guys...on to the hop cones. The pellet gunk was not much fun to work with so I got some bags and regular hops and will try again this weekend.

 

[ArcaneXor]

You can put hop pellets into hop socks or small nylon grain bags to minimize the mess.

 

[BrewinHooligan]

If you ferment in a bucket like an Ale Pail, a sanitized 5 gallon paint strainer bag placed into the Pail before pouring the cooled wort will strain out either type of hop very well. I do experience more "gunk" with pellets than whole hops, but I don't like how much beer the whole hops steal from me. It all just comes down to personal preferrence I think, but flavor and aroma are better from a whole hop like others have said.