Should i dry hopnin a secondary? Or can stick with the primary?

[LeroyJenkins]

I've had a Belgian IPA from the guys at BB for a few days now and they call for a secondary in the instructions. But they also say if you don't have a secondary, just dry hop in the primary. I have a brew bucket I can transfer to, but should I do it? I've read there's a risk of oxidization and infection. Is it worth the risk?

 

[MotorcycleMatt]

i always dry hop in the primary

 

[Trox]

I'm planning on dry hopping over to a secondary, but that is mostly to free up my primary for another batch.

On a side note I would be a bit worried about brewing with that name; your just inviting all kinds of trouble, but at least you got chicken...

 

[unionrdr]

I dry hop in primary,but only after FG is reached & it's settling out clear or slightly misty. don't wanna loose aroma by dry hopping while cloudy.

 

[AnOldUR]

But they also say if you don't have a secondary, just dry hop in the primary.

This. I dry hop in a secondary vessel, but if I didn't have a carboy and enough beer to top it off to minimize headspace, I’d stick with the primary.

 

[Whattawort]

No need to transfer to dry hop.

 

[TipsyDragon]

The risk of infection and oxidation is about the same as when you bottle the beer. Just sanitize the bucket real good and go for it. Dry hopping should be done in a secondary because the yeast in the primary will mess with the hops.

If your worried about oxidation fill the headspace with CO2 from a block of dry ice. Just brake off a chunk and drop it in some warm water. Then poor the fog and only the fog into the bucket as you or an assistant closes the lid.

 

[Whattawort]

The risk of infection and oxidation is about the same as when you bottle the beer. Just sanitize the bucket real good and go for it. Dry hopping should be done in a secondary because the yeast in the primary will mess with the hops.

If your worried about oxidation fill the headspace with CO2 from a block of dry ice. Just brake off a chunk and drop it in some warm water. Then poor the fog and only the fog into the bucket as you or an assistant closes the lid.

Have to disagree with your statement. The yeast will have no negative impact on the hops especially if you wait until active fermentation is complete. I've dry hopped at least 10 beers in my primary with no ill effects. They all turned out exactly like I wanted. Hop profiles degrade with time, so I find it's best to dry hop 6-10 days out from when you plan to bottle.

 

[unionrdr]

Yeah,as long as I wait till the beer is settled out clear or slightly misty dry hopping in primary works great.

 

[boydster]

If you plan on reusing the yeast, transferring to secondary to dry hop reduces the amount of hops particles mixed into the yeast cake. If you dry hop in primary, it is best to let the beer clear before adding hops because the hop oils can stick to the yeast in suspension, reducing the amount of aroma left in the beer when the yeast finally flocs out. Bottom line, though: it's a personal preference.

 

[unionrdr]

Yup,that's why I wait till the beer settles out clear or slightly misty before dry hopping in muslin hop socks. Keeps things cleaner & more hop oils stay in suspension.