Hops: loose vs vac packed

[Good Ed]

I was doing a brew today and Uncle Pumple raised a valid point that I should up my hops from the GW recipe I was following because they were not vacuum packed. I have been getting all my stuff from Hamstead Brewing Centre who I believe turn over a huge amount of stuff and manufacture kits and Design a Brew, so it wasn't a consideration that their hops would not be fresh. So should I just add 10-20% to my calculations if the hops arn't vacuum packed, it seems to make everything a bit arbitary when you are working things out with AA %'s. All the recipe calculations I've seen seem so precise, and now there is another variable. :?

 

[Mark1964]

I think you need to add a few more hops if there not vac packed ive done a few brews with the normal hops though and to be honest havnt added more just because they were not vac packed. To me it hasnt made any difference.

 

[evanvine]

All the recipe calculations I've seen seem so precise, and now there is another variable. :?

I treat brewing more of a craft/art than a precise scientific undertaking.
The variance in the quality of hops and grain really preclude precise measurements.
Recipes in my opinion are to be used as idea/guide line, as long as you keep copious notes you can always near enough repeat.
Yes I would increase the quantity of loose hops over that of vacuum packed.

 

[Good Ed]

Thanks for the advice, after doing a few brews I'll get more comfortable with making adjustments, and of course what I like to drink. I've already ordered my vac packed hops for my next brew; Worcester Hop Shop has all hops £1.99/100g at the moment.

: :drink:

 

[phettebs]

I treat brewing more of a craft/art than a precise scientific undertaking.

You must have really enjoyed our enzyme discussion last night then! ;-)

 

[evanvine]

You must have really enjoyed our enzyme discussion last night then! ;-)

I did Barry, very much and I learned a few things :thumb:
I think before you fly by the seat of your pants you need the know the science it's based on!

 

[pjbiker]

Wow,
Just looked up Worcester Hop shop online. That is cheap for hops. Are they any good? sticky, aromatic?
My preference is 'Brupaks' from hopandgrape but they're at least twice the price.
The grain is cheap too, what's the delivery charge like.

 

[Good Ed]

I haven't tried them yet, it's a special offer I think; Royal Mail 1st class charges for under 1kg; I've seen other posters refer to the shop and haven't heard any bad reports. They also do all grain kits for a few brews at £7.99 + delivery. Try them :thumb:

 

[unclepumble]

I wasn't trying to worry you ed, Its just that you never know how long hops are sitting on the shelf, and If they are not vac packed they will oxidise.

All hops loose AA content with age it just happens a lot slower when no air is in the pack. I also freeze most of my vac packed hops until they are ready to use as this helps keep them fresh too.

I have recently being buying up hops that were near their BB date from a shop in burton, Cheap were very cheap for morris hanbury hops, and they had a few varietys.

Even though they have just about hit their BB D they smell very strong when opened and have been bittering just great, I do chuck a few more grams in though just to be on the safe side, I doubt none vac packed hops would last as long.

I have never bought from hampstead so they might just be fine, only a delve into a vac pack will tell you.

Hope your 1st brew tastes good. :thumb: :drink:

UP

 

[Good Ed]

Thanks UP, I hope you don't think I was doubting your advice, I just thought I would post a new topic in this section to discuss it. It's all part of the learning curve for me, but I will be buying vac packed from now on :thumb: