Dry hopping

[Replay63]

Hi All,
Quick question, I added 100g cascade hops to my latest brew (Coopers English Bitter) after 6 days. In the past I've only used pellets which end up in the trub at the bottom but these hops are still floating after a week. Do they normally remain on the surface throughout? Thanks.

 

[Leon103]

I have always used a hop bag so not sure, I think most will stay on top.

 

[Replay63]

Ah, so I should use a bag for plain hops but not needed for pellets maybe.

 

[GHW]

Yep they float. Some people put sanitised spoons etc in the bag to sink them but there's no need imo. Poke them under with something sanitised and they'll release their intoxicating aromas.

 

[Replay63]

I gave them a stir after a couple of days to wet them, will one stir that be enough? Will leave for 4 weeks in primary.

 

[Leon103]

I gave them a stir after a couple of days to wet them, will one stir that be enough? Will leave for 4 weeks in primary.

I hop(e) that is a typo and you meant 4 days

 

[Replay63]

Nope! 4 weeks I normally leave in primary before racking off for a few days then bottle.

 

[Leon103]

Dry hopping shouldn't be done for that long, you will get a earth taste from the hops.

 

[Replay63]

OK thanks, so they've been in a week now so scoop them out and bin?

 

[GHW]

Yes I'd get them out. Ideally you want to add your dry hop about 4-5 days before you rack or bottle. Not only will you get odd flavours if they are in there too long but if you take them out then don't bottle immediately a lot of the hop aroma is driven off, so you won't get the full effect.

 

[Covrich]

to make life easier Dry hop minus the days before you bottle/keg, so do it the final week before you bottle up

 

[Replay63]

Thanks for your help. The brew has been on for 14 days now, with the hops floating in there for half that time. So I guess I'd better get them out and bottle asap.
I've previously made 3 brews adding hop pellets and have left them in for 3+ weeks with no ill effects (the Muntons Connoisseur Nut Brown Ale was superb with cascade pellets and Safbrew Abbaye yeast) but they tend to sink to the bottom fairly readily.