To rack or not to rack this is my question

[jsmashXx]

I have a imperial red ale that needs to be bottled and I'm out of bottles. The recipe calls for a week of dry hopping. My question is since I won't be bottling this week should I move the beer off the hops? First time dry hopping and not sure what prolonged dry hopping will do. Thanks

 

[DocScott]

It's up to you. I think I would just leave it. The risk of leaving it is that too long of a dry hop can sometimes impart a grassy flavor/aroma into the beer. I've left a batch for 14 days on the same hops and never had a problem, but that's the risk.

Maybe go to your local bottle shop or recycling center and buy some empties. I know the guys at my shop well enough, and they sell them to me for the $0.05 bottle deposit.

 

[duboman]

Did you already add the dry hops?


If not just keep it in primary until you are within the 7 days of adding them and then just toss them in the primary for the 7. Days, then bottle!

 

[stpug]

Cold temperatures, IMO, seem to reduce/eliminate any imparted grassy/vegetal flavors. If you've had dry hops in for 1 week and you'll have to wait another week then moving it to cold storage would work well. This might mean something as simple as putting in a garage if you're in a cold area, or fridge if you have a spare. Plus the cold should help clarify the beer by encouraging "stuff" to settle out. Just an idea.

 

[jsmashXx]

I have added the hops already and the week of dry hopping is up. I have an extra Carboy I might just rack into it and bottle when I get some. There is no LHBS where I live I would have to drive to San Diego. Thanks for the feedback guys I'm thankful for the advice.

 

[Conan]

In the future you may want to put the hops in a sack first (like a muslin bag) to facilitate easy removal. Just make sure the hops aren't tightly packed in the bag. Kyle

 

[the_trout]

How long before you anticipate bottling?

 

[jsmashXx]

How long before you anticipate bottling?

Prolly have to go get bottles this weekend.

 

[the_trout]

I wouldn't bother racking it if you're going to bottle this weekend.

 

[Teromous]

Maybe go to your local bottle shop or recycling center and buy some empties. I know the guys at my shop well enough, and they sell them to me for the $0.05 bottle deposit.

This, or ask around if any local homebrewers have some on hand.

 

[whitehause]

10 or 12 days won't make much difference, especially if you can get it somewhere cool. If it were going to be weeks, then yea.