Scored some fresh hops - advice?

Staylow · Aug 28, 2015

So, I got my hands on about 4-5 pounds (estimate) of fresh Centennial hops from a trip to a Wisconsin hops farm on our recent vacation. As I haven't read or researched a whole yet on using wet hops, I'm looking for some advice and general info. I do know I need about 4-6 times as much as normal.

First, do I have to worry about absorption, or is it minimal? I know they won't absorb as much as dried hops, but I really don't know how to adjust my numbers in Beersmith, or if it's negligible to the point I don't have to adjust my numbers compared to pellets.

Second, what would be the best approach to adding them? A 5 or 10 minute addition, or could I chill to 180 F and do a 20-30 minute hops stand, or a little of both?

Any info would be appreciated.

TriggerHappy · Aug 29, 2015

Awesome score(mine didn't turn out as good as last year). Wet hop or fresh hop can be cool. I use them late in the boil or at the end. I am not a numbers guy so I couldn't tell you what your absorbtion loss would be. I am of the mindset of "Dude, got 5 lbs of hops, let's party". You know about how much an oz of dry hops looks so "relax, don't worry and have a homebrew" and be thankful for the hops.

Staylow · Aug 29, 2015

Thanks for the tip. And don't worry, I am relaxed and thankful both, but if I'm going to brew a batch of beer, I want the full 5 gallons - my friends are thirsty lol

Lukes1040 · Sep 1, 2015

How "recent" was this vacation? Fresh hops will naturally dry within a few days to a week after harvest. They really need to be used asap after harvesting. How have they been stored?

Staylow · Sep 5, 2015

They were in a large, ziploc-like bag. They were at roughly room temp for about 30 hours, then immediately placed in the freezer upon returning home. It's kind of a no-brainer that if you don't freeze them, they're no longer "fresh hops". I'm brewing tomorrow, so we'll see how it goes.

Lukes1040 · Sep 5, 2015

I was under the impression that you did not want to freeze wet hops as it would somehow damage them. If they were fresh hops that were dried before given to you that's a different story. Good luck with the brew. My wet hop ipa is just now getting conditioned in the keg. Still some sharp flavors but it's getting better by the day.

gometz · Sep 10, 2015

My LHBS sells wet hops that they vacuum seal and then freeze. I bought some two years ago and kept them in the freezer for 2 months before finishing them off, beer came out great.