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Author Topic: Dry hopping in the keg questions ?  (Read 16459 times)

Offline trapae

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Dry hopping in the keg questions ?
« on: October 27, 2017, 08:40:25 am »
 I’m thinking about doing this and just wondering peoples’ techniques and experiences? I know some people leave it in the entire life of the keg and some people take it out. Just wondering what people do, and if you experience any of flavors, vegetal?   And how the flavor is different from normal dry hopping?
Thanks
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Offline kramerog

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Re: Dry hopping in the keg questions ?
« Reply #1 on: October 27, 2017, 08:55:56 am »
I routinely dry hop in the keg.  Now that I'm controlling oxygen exposure by doing closed rackings to the keg, I leave the hops in until the keg kicks and don't get grassy flavors.  The reason why I hop in the keg is that the aromas are stronger.

Offline EnkAMania

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Re: Dry hopping in the keg questions ?
« Reply #2 on: October 27, 2017, 09:25:43 am »
I use  http://www.clearbeerdraughtsystem.com/ so I'm able to throw the hops in the keg without a bag.  I have never gotten that grassy taste people quote. 
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Offline Kevin

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Re: Dry hopping in the keg questions ?
« Reply #3 on: October 27, 2017, 11:32:41 am »
I used to use a bag to hop in the keg but I recent bought one of those cylindrical hop containers. I just tie a piece of plain dental floss to the top of the bag/container and put on the lid letting the other end of the floss t hang outside. Works great. I've got an IPA dry hopping right now.
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Offline Stevie

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Re: Dry hopping in the keg questions ?
« Reply #4 on: October 27, 2017, 12:19:33 pm »
I use weighted bags and a stainless filter. The stainless developed some rust spots, so I haven’t used it in a while.

Offline denny

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Re: Dry hopping in the keg questions ?
« Reply #5 on: October 27, 2017, 12:26:29 pm »
I use weighted bags and a stainless filter. The stainless developed some rust spots, so I haven’t used it in a while.

I've never found the weights to make a difference.  Have you tried it unweighted and found they did?
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Offline Stevie

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Re: Dry hopping in the keg questions ?
« Reply #6 on: October 27, 2017, 12:44:34 pm »
I did unweighted in the past and the lid was a hassle to get on. I rack into a closed keg now, so that may not matter.

Offline trapae

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Re: Dry hopping in the keg questions ?
« Reply #7 on: October 27, 2017, 03:21:46 pm »
 So seems like most people are leaving the hops in the entire keg life.   Any opinions on the taste/aroma difference between “ normal “  dry hopping and keg dry hopping?
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Offline a10t2

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Re: Dry hopping in the keg questions ?
« Reply #8 on: October 27, 2017, 03:44:57 pm »
I routinely dry hop in the keg.  Now that I'm controlling oxygen exposure by doing closed rackings to the keg, I leave the hops in until the keg kicks and don't get grassy flavors.  The reason why I hop in the keg is that the aromas are stronger.

How are you getting the hops into the keg?

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Offline kramerog

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Re: Dry hopping in the keg questions ?
« Reply #9 on: October 27, 2017, 06:23:47 pm »
I routinely dry hop in the keg.  Now that I'm controlling oxygen exposure by doing closed rackings to the keg, I leave the hops in until the keg kicks and don't get grassy flavors.  The reason why I hop in the keg is that the aromas are stronger.

How are you getting the hops into the keg?

I swear, I'm *this* close to building a CO2 glove box for packaging days.
The dry hopping is probably the biggest contributor to oxygen now.  After racking, I put the bagged hops in and purge the headspace several times.  Anyway, my IPAs are pretty stable over 3 months.

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Offline Stevie

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Re: Dry hopping in the keg questions ?
« Reply #10 on: October 27, 2017, 07:44:02 pm »
Keg hopping is just easier IMO

Offline juggabrew303

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Re: Dry hopping in the keg questions ?
« Reply #11 on: October 27, 2017, 11:29:38 pm »
Using this for the first time and it’s awesome.  No vegetal here but I’m DH with the cryo hops from this day forward.   

http://scottjanish.com/my-favorite-way-to-dry-hop-loose-in-primary-and-kegs/


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Offline denny

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Re: Dry hopping in the keg questions ?
« Reply #12 on: October 28, 2017, 08:26:23 am »
So seems like most people are leaving the hops in the entire keg life.   Any opinions on the taste/aroma difference between “ normal “  dry hopping and keg dry hopping?

I find keg hopping gives me more flavor and aroma for a longer time.
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Offline ultravista

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Re: Dry hopping in the keg questions ?
« Reply #13 on: October 28, 2017, 08:42:27 am »
I use a 11.5" 400 Micron Stainless Corny Keg Dry Hop Filter. I just tie a piece of plain dental floss to the top of the filter lid and secure the floss to the underside of the lid, the well for the purge valve, with a small stainless steel hose clamp.

I do not recommend routing the floss over/under the lid seal to the outside of the keg. Doing this resulted in poor seals, with and without keg lube.

https://utahbiodieselsupply.com/brewingfilters.php#cornydryhopper

I have two of these filters and don't over fill either one. A few ounces of hops expand like a mother trucker, and I suspect, lead to inefficient extraction if not agitated and allowed to expand/compress.

The hops stay in the keg for the duration unless I need the filter for something else. Not a heavy consumer, I have left the hops in the keg for 4+ months with no vegetal off-flavors (to my pallet).
« Last Edit: October 28, 2017, 08:44:52 am by ultravista »

Offline ultravista

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Re: Dry hopping in the keg questions ?
« Reply #14 on: October 28, 2017, 08:45:43 am »
I find keg hopping gives me more flavor and aroma for a longer time.

Denny - do you leave the hops in the keg until the keg kicks? What is the longest you've done this? My kegs last a few months ...