Help me choose my dry hops please!

[StevieDS]

My American pale ale is almost a week into fermentation so I'm starting to think about dry hopping. I have the following hops in the freezer:

Fuggles
EKG
Saaz
Bravo
Cascade
Centennial
Chinook
Summit
Sterling

This will be my first time dry hopping, so does anyone have any suggestions as to what combinations might be good (or not good).
I realise a lot of it is personal taste but I'm not yet familiar with individual hop characteristics, so any help is welcome :thumb:

 

[lambert]

If you want to keep it "in style" then go for 20g of Centennial. If you are more adventurous then do a 10g Centennial (or Cascade) and 10g Steling (Or Saaz) mix. Or open each packet, smell the hops and add the one you like the smell of to your dry hopping bag :shock:. Guideline is around 20g of dry hops for 20'ish litre batches - but a lot of stunning beers laugh at guidelines...

 

[winelight]

I find that 20g or so does make a difference, but not much of one. Well, not enough for me, anyway. I'm wondering just how much I'd have to use to get the effect I want.

 

[calumscott]

For me, chinook all the way. 40g in 23l for a real fruity hoppy hit.

:thumb:

 

[JKaranka]

30g Chinook and 30g Cascade. Or replace one of those two for Fuggles for the random floral twist!

 

[winelight]

So as much as 60g to dry hop? Will try that on the next one. Thanks.

 

[Duxuk]

I would go with cascade. I've found centennial suprisingly dissapointing.

 

[PD]

I'm getting to quite like Cascade hops
just included a double amount on my new order with Malt Miller.

 

[JKaranka]

I wouldn't use less than 60g to dry hop an American pale or IPA. If you check American forums they use two ounces (56g) for 19 litres as a standard. Depending on IBU and abv I'd keep it to that, or when those increase, gradually increase the dry hop to around 120-150g. The best result I've got this far was to do the standard two ounce dry hop in primary, and then add a smaller dry hop of one ounce to cask, poly pin or minikeg. That was for a low gravity, 4.8 abv, 45 IBU American pale.

 

[namesjash]

I'm looking at the same sort of thing, working out what hops to buy for my next brew (Either a Czech Pilsner or American Pale Ale), but thinking of going off piste somewhat and NOT using Saaz for the Pilsner.. Maybe Sterling?

I found a useful chart giving hop name, substitutes and attributes to get an idea of the flavour profiles each bring to the party. Its got a andy drop down to sort by the beer type you're making too.

I cant post a direct link, but if you google BYO Hops i think you should find it ok.. Hope thats helpful?

 

[JKaranka]

With lager, I just saw that Styrian Goldings were listed as suitable hops, which could be nice as a late addition.

 

[StevieDS]

Thanks for all the replies guys, so I'm thinking after reading all comments of 30g cascade, 20g Chinook, 20g centennial. How does that sound? I'm not bottling for another 2 week's from today so when should I add the hops?

 

[redhousebrewing]

Can I add the same question for dry hopping a couple of batches of pilsner & bitter I'm planning for later this month.
Saaz & Challenger seem obvious choices but any alternatives I should consider as a first timer for this dry hopping thing and how much?

TIA
Stuart

 

[calumscott]

Thanks for all the replies guys, so I'm thinking after reading all comments of 30g cascade, 20g Chinook, 20g centennial. How does that sound? I'm not bottling for another 2 week's from today so when should I add the hops?

It sounds "can I have a bottle please" :lol:

Do it now. 14 days of dry hopping is just right IMO.

 

[StevieDS]

Really, 14 days? I like your style. The hops are now in so that will be only 10 days. I thought generally 7 days was the recommended time?

 

[winelight]

OK so I need to double the hops and double the time I leave them in for... will give that a go.