Adding Hops At Primary Stage?

[mancer62]

Is this a recommended or safe thing to do? (adding hops at the primary stage) if so would it be ok to add them right away after making the beer or wait a day or two? Once added (pellets in a muslin bag) how long would you leave them in the FV? I have 50g US Cascade......Will doing t his give me a better, different or more intense flavour than dry hopping into the secondary for 5 to 7 days or not?

 

[uDicko]

It's safe to do. I do it all the time at yeast pitch or later.

I personally don't think dry hopping in secondary adds any value, but then I don't transfer to secondary. It's always primary, dry hop and package.

 

[Pennine]

I worry about adding dry hops before fermentation because the aromas get driven out with the CO2 during fermentation. I am not sure if it is a real issue but seems likely, also some claim the yeast change the hop character. I think adding after fermentation in the primary is the best way for maximizing aroma.

 

[jMac]

I think adding after fermentation in the primary is the best way for maximizing aroma.

This is my opinion too (though I don’t have anything scientific to back it up). I never use secondary, unless batch lagering, so it’s straight in the primary with them after FG is reached, about 3 days before I intend to bottle/package.

There is also this new thing about ‘biotransformation’, however, which I believe is yeast dependent and involves adding hops during active fermentation. I know nothing about it, but may be worth checking out.

 

[mancer62]

Thanks for replies.
u Dicko...u say u basically add the hops as soon as youve made the beer even before fermentation has started is that correct?. Is it hop pellets in a muslin bag you use or just toss them loose into the FV? If in a bag how long do you leave in there or do they remain in till you keg/bottle?....

Pennine: have you experienced the hop taste being effected by the yeast when doing this method and u feel there is a benefit to racking into secondary?

mcglaughlinj: you also favour adding the hops to primary but only around 3 days before keg/bottling?
So is the racking into secondary thing waste of time then to try get a more clear beer etc?

Id also be interested to know amount of hops you guys add to a 5 gallon batch.
And is it usually single hopped or combination if so which combos have u found to go well together?

Lastly what when making my extract beer I boiled it and added 50g of hops what result this would have recommended or not...and how long to boil for...or am i better with dry hop method...ty

 

[uDicko]

u Dicko...u say u basically add the hops as soon as youve made the beer even before fermentation has started is that correct?. Is it hop pellets in a muslin bag you use or just toss them loose into the FV? If in a bag how long do you leave in there or do they remain in till you keg/bottle?..

Yup, I leave them loose but it's your call. Then I leave in until kegging.

 

[DarrenSL]

Cloudwater did a beer a few years ago (DIPA v4 and v5) where the only difference was the hop additions. v4 was during fermentation and v5 the more traditional dry hop at the end. Both beers were excellent but there was a clear difference between the two. For me, the v4 (during fermentation dry hop) was smoother and more rounded. v5 had more aroma but for me, v4 was better. I wouldn't put hops in too early though, a few points before the end of fermentation and you can't go wrong.

(also, secondary is not needed and risks oxidation/infection)