Dry hopping questions from a beginner

[Brewer #441765]

I will be brewing a beer this weekend that calls for some dry hopping. I want to know if it is a bad idea to "hang" a bag of the hops inside the fermenter, such that I can just drop it in without opening the fermenter to avoid the air exposure. The potential downside is the hop sack will like be exposed to some of the krausen foam while hanging - I will ferment 8 L in a 12 L bucket.

Side note: I did this method with coffee beans & a vanilla bean last batch. The coffee flavor is overwhelming and way stronger than expected after a 2 day "dry hop" so I suspect it was in the foam and giving off its flavor for longer than expected.

So which do you see as the lesser of two evils?

Hang the hop sack in the headspace and drop it without opening the bucket

Keep the hop sack out of the bucket, briefly open the lid and drop it in when ready slope game

 

[Over The Cliff Brewing]

I have not tried the hanging method but with enough headspace in your fermenter you should be ok. I dry hop alot by opening either the lid or by using the hole where the airlock fits into the top. No issues.

 

[Minbari]

The hanging method works. Use a magnet to release it.

IMHO, if you expose it to oxidation, the dry hop won't last very long

 

[BarbarianBrewer]

I tried the holding up the dry hop bag above the kreuzen but, the bag dropped into the wort on the first day. I think what happened was that the kreuzen rose just enough to touch the hop bag. The bag and hops wicked up enough wort to make the bag too heavy for the magnet to hold. I had about 6 oz of pellets in one bag. I think if I try this again I'll split the hops in two smaller bags. Easier for the magnets to hold and there would be more space between the kreuzen and the dry hop bag so, less chance of contact.

 

[Donoroto]

If you are quick and careful, little oxygen will get in. But hanging is also ok.

 

[Semper Sitientum]

I dry hop frequently. Open, drop, close as quickly as possible and have never had an issue. There is a layer of CO2 over your beer, which will be disturbed when you drop in your hops. But, it does offer some protection.

 

[robintes]

Erm a hop poly bag seems sensible, or used stuff drops to bottom. Leaving exposed to headspace doesnt seem right. Cant you just put some glass marbles or stones in to weight the bag the drop it in on a string? Easy to retrieve?

 

[Yontsey]

I've done several beers where I've DDH but I think this time around I might try and toss them in a bag to minimize hop sediment in the bottom so when I transfer to a keg.

1) how long should I boil the bag to sanitize it fully, and
2) will dry hopping in a bag be as or close to efficient as opposed to just dumping them in?

 

[BarbarianBrewer]

1) A minute in boiling water should be enough to sanitize a hop bag.
2) You get better extraction when throwing them in loose, as opposed to bagging them, but as long as you don't overpack the bag (remember hops expand quite a bit when wet) the difference wouldn't be too much.

 

[Minbari]

I've done several beers where I've DDH but I think this time around I might try and toss them in a bag to minimize hop sediment in the bottom so when I transfer to a keg.

1) how long should I boil the bag to sanitize it fully, and
2) will dry hopping in a bag be as or close to efficient as opposed to just dumping them in?

I have never boiled it. Just dip it in star san

 

[Yontsey]

I was just trying to prevent whipping up a batch of sanstar

 

[Minbari]

I was just trying to prevent whipping up a batch of sanstar

I just keep mine in a 5gal bucket. Lasts for months, i usually make a new bucket every 5-6 batches, if it gets dirty.

 

[Yontsey]

I just keep mine in a 5gal bucket. Lasts for months, i usually make a new bucket every 5-6 batches, if it gets dirty.

I usually keep my SS Brewtech Conical filled up so it's ready to go next time. Bonus that it has a bottom spout. Maybe that's what I'll do. Just whip up a batch and toss in there. I am gonna need to sanitize some kegs soon anyway....

 

[Megary]

If you insist on a bag, dip it in vodka for a bit if you’re concerned. Or, if you dry hop post fermentation, just chuck the bag right in. The alcohol and low pH of the beer will protect you.

 

[Yontsey]

Was just an idea. Might just say F it and dump them in like I always do.

 

[Zambi]

If you insist on a bag, dip it in vodka for a bit if you’re concerned. Or, if you dry hop post fermentation, just chuck the bag right in. The alcohol and low pH of the beer will protect you.

You can also drink the vodka instead and then you wont worry that much

I have only dry hopped once for Ben's bunyip. I think I threw them in loose

 

[Yontsey]

Has anyone ever messed around with ALDC, the diacetyl reducing enzyme?