Dry hoping

[Dicko]

Hi all
I'm gonna be brewing a coopers European lager and intend to dry hop using saaz whole leaf hops.
Any ideas how much I should use as I've only used pellets before?

Cheers Dicko.

 

[Smoey]

Hi all
I'm gonna be brewing a coopers European lager and intend to dry hop using saaz whole leaf hops.
Any ideas how much I should use as I've only used pellets before?

Cheers Dicko.

Use the same weight-wise as you would pellets, they just take up more space. People may say there's a slight difference in flavour but as long as you're a mere mortal and not a beer judge I doubt you will notice.

 

[Edison]

It wouldn’t hurt to increase your hops slightly, whole hops can have ~10% lower utilisation than T90 pellets, and I’m not one for being frugal with hops!

As Smoey said, they do take up more space and rather than dispersing like pellets do, they will expand a surprising amount and float on the top. If you were thinking of confining them to a hop bag give them plenty of space- I mean lots! Then add some more for good measure!

https://learn.kegerator.com/pellet-hops-vs-whole-hops/

 

[Dicko]

Use the same weight-wise as you would pellets, they just take up more space. People may say there's a slight difference in flavour but as long as you're a mere mortal and not a beer judge I doubt you will notice.

Thanks Smoey.
Any thoughts on how much I should use gram wise. The brew will consist of coopers European lager kit plus 500g light spray malt and 700g of sugar made up to 21L?

Cheers Dicko

 

[Dicko]

It wouldn’t hurt to increase your hops slightly, whole hops can have ~10% lower utilisation than T90 pellets, and I’m not one for being frugal with hops!

As Smoey said, they do take up more space and rather than dispersing like pellets do, they will expand a surprising amount and float on the top. If you were thinking of confining them to a hop bag give them plenty of space- I mean lots! Then add some more for good measure!

https://learn.kegerator.com/pellet-hops-vs-whole-hops/

Lol
Thanks Edison.
I'd read somewhere that you need to use more. Have you brewed this kit and if so how much hops dId you add.
I'm using coopers European lager kit plus 500g light spray malt and 700g of sugar made up to 21L.

Cheers Dicko

 

[Smoey]

I've only used saaz once when i did a pilsner years ago so I'm not really familiar with it and i've not made that kit in a while either but i think the standard for dry hopping is 30 - 60g but then if you're a bit of a 'hophead' you could easily double that, time plays a factor too. What it all boils down to is personal preference but I'm with Edison on this one re. don't be frugal and chuck in that little bit extra! If you have the means, you could split the batch in half and try a different quantity in each one to home in on your sweet spot...

 

[terrym]

Lagers are not IPAs, and therefore, imo, do not need large quantities of hops. I used between 25 and 40g of either Saaz, Hallertau or Motueka hops when I did this kit and for me 40g was on the limit

 

[Edison]

I haven't made this kit and generally do AG brewing, but it looks like a Czech or German Pilsner style, saaz would make a good choice.

Yep, I think traditionally lagers weren’t dry hopped but kits can be lacking in fresh hop aromas i hear, so if you’re after more hops without adding significant additional bitterness you could dry hop and possibly even make a hop ‘tea‘ if that’s not complicating things too much!

Saaz are a beautiful, mild, herbal hop, my favourite for lagers. You could get away with dry hopping with at least 20g. You could also boil 20g in a couple of litres of water and pour through a sanitised sieve when making the kit up. All depends on personal preference and how adventurous you're feeling! You could dry hop with a smaller amount, taste after 3 days then add a second charge if you feel it needs it.

Dry hopping and a hop tea could affect how crystal clear your finished beer is (but I don't add finings to my beer but it doesn't worry me).

 

[Dicko]

Thanks for the input guys, much appreciated.

Cheers Dicko.

 

[EveryoneKnowsADave]

Lagers are not IPAs, and therefore, imo, do not need large quantities of hops. I used between 25 and 40g of either Saaz, Hallertau or Motueka hops when I did this kit and for me 40g was on the limit

Bringing up a post from some time ago but, your quantities seems to match what I plan to use @terrym . When do you recommend adding?