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Using home grown hops...

Firstly.... Hello all... I'm new to these groups, but not to usenet or home-brewing. I'm from Yorkshire in the UK and brew beer from grain, and occasionally wine from kits or from stuff I've grown... which leads me nicely on to my question...

Last year I planted an east kent golding hop plant, and it did really well, although I didn't manage to store the hops properly and they rotted. This year I plan to use them straight from the plant...

I've read somewhere that if you're using fresh hops you should use twice the weight you would normally use. Is this right? Also... Does using fresh hops add any unpleasant flavour to the beer?

thanks..

-- Paris

Reply to
hmparis
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IIRC, hops lose about 80-85% of their weight when dried.

I've tasted decent commercial fresh-hop ale. I've also tasted homebrewed and commercial fresh-hop ale that has had a distinct, unpleasant herbal green-grass character. I stopped my own experimentation with using undried hops after two (failed) attempts.

Reply to
Joel

Try drying in a dehydrator if you have one. You can also take a square panel fan [like are used to blow air around the house] and place an airfilter on the outlet side of the fan. Place hops on the air filter and put another airfilter on top of the hops. Secure it and turn on the fan. Stop drying when the hops are the way you want them. Use a vacuum sealer and store the hops in the freezer until use. No need to worry about rotting or weight issues. Having said that, homegrown hops are only good for aroma and flavor unless you can get the AAU levels tested or if you brew test batches to determine what bitterness to expected from using your hops [or if you get lucky].

Reply to
Thomas T. Veldhouse

Reply to
LouF

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