ok to transfer?

[soxpats]

i brewed up a kolsch last sunday, so 11 days ago. I usually just leave all my beers in primary until bottling, but this time I want to rack to secondary to dry hop and to clear it up a bit. fermentation is done as far as I can tell, there is no bubbling and the hydrometer has read 1.016 the last couple days (and a very tasty sample i must say!) yet there is still a fairly thick layer of krausen/foam on top.

so is it ok to transfer with that layer? or does that mean its still fermenting?

 

[Clonefarmer]

If your gravity is stable than it's done fermenting and can be racked. Sometimes the krausen won't drop.

I would advise against dry hopping since it's a Kolsch.

 

[TipsyDragon]

leave it till the krausen finishes falling then check your SG again. if its still 1.016 then go ahead and rack.

 

[TipsyDragon]

Sometimes the krausen won't drop.

krausen always drops its not magic.

 

[Clonefarmer]

krausen always drops its not magic.

I have had some that the krausen will not drop after a couple weeks.

 

[soxpats]

I would advise against dry hopping since it's a Kolsch.

why is that? i know it's not all that common, but it should just add aroma, and i like a nice hop aroma in my beer.

 

[Clonefarmer]

why is that? i know it's not all that common, but it should just add aroma, and i like a nice hop aroma in my beer.

The flavor and aroma in Kolsch is very subtle the hops may overpower it. It's just a suggestion though. It's your beer and I don't want to stop you from trying something different that you may enjoy.

 

[soxpats]

The flavor and aroma in Kolsch is very subtle the hops may overpower it. It's just a suggestion though. It's your beer and I don't want to stop you from trying something different that you may enjoy.

I have an oz of hallertau pellets and an oz of saaz whole hops lying around. I was considering doing a 1/2 oz of one or the other. I have never dry hopped so I appreciate the advice...do you think both of those would be overpowering?

 

[Clonefarmer]

I have an oz of hallertau pellets and an oz of saaz whole hops lying around. I was considering doing a 1/2 oz of one or the other. I have never dry hopped so I appreciate the advice...do you think both of those would be overpowering?

Either one should work. When I pick dry hops I usually smell them and decide. You're getting mostly fresh aroma from dry hops. If you dry hop before lagering the hops will have a bit of time to mellow. If you dry hop after lagering they will be stronger. Either way I wouldn't leave the dry hops in for more than a week, two at the most.

 

[soxpats]

yeah I was planning on leaving them in for just 5 or 6 days. thanks for the tips!