Dry hop particles

Brewing Processes
1

This topic has been debated over and over, but raising it again. In order to get the particles out from dry hoping I filter by covering the front end of my siphon with a mesh hop bag. I transfer to 2ndary, cold crash, then keg. If I don’t transfer to 2nday I get green bits in the beer.  My question s: is there a better way? Do I really have to worry about oxygenation?  It’s a hoppy beer anyways so won’t last more than 3 Mo’s anyways.

2

If transfers are not managed properly, and/or if you take a while to finish the keg, then yes, oxygen ingress really matters with hoppy beers. I would try and avoid transfers, if possible. Put a fine mesh screen (with a lot of surface area) around your dip tube like shown here, or use one of those floating dip tubes. I’ve had good results with both.

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

http://www.clearbeerdraughtsystem.com/info.html
https://www.williamsbrewing.com/Top-Draw-Beer-Pick-Up-Tube-P4643.aspx

3

I was just about to ask people if they had experience with both of these systems.  I am looking to buy one of them.  I was thinking that the SS filter is easier to clean, thus easier to use. People rave about the clearbeer  top draw style.  I did read Scott Janish report (love his brewpub, Sapwood Cellars) so am leaning in this direction.  Which system do you prefer? Anyone else have a preference?
Thanks

4

I use the Clear Beer floating dip tube.  There’s nothing about it I don’t like.

5

I’ve only got the Clear Beer systems, just recently started using them.  But I know that in researching my options, I heard of people having trouble with other systems where the tube is just loosely hooked to the float, as it can float up on its own, become “unsubmerged,” and just draw gas.  The Clear Beer is designed so that the the intake is positively held an inch or two below the surface.  I figured it was worth the extra money to take no chances.

6

Thanks, that a good recommendation.

7

I have also been using the Clear Beer dip tube system in several of my kegs for over a year. Works great!

8

Good to know that they are better than the knock offs.  They are pricey. Both systems are not cheap. You guys are making me lean towards the Clearbeer.

9

Thanks,Another for CB

10

To avoid particles I only dry hop with whole cone hops.

11

I hear you. I use to only brew with whole hops, actually prefer them. My entire system was built around them. Unfortunately many newer hops are difficult to find in whole leaf. Thus I now brew with both.  I do find I get better aroma from pellets when dry hopping loose in a keg and lose less beer.  Plus pellets are easier to store in a freezer.  But now have to deal with upgrades to accommodate the pellets.

12

I dry hop by putting pellets in a stainless mesh tube that has dental floss tied to the top. The floss can come out the top of the fermentor and the gasket will still seal over it. You can pull out the hops whenever you want, and I have never had a problem with particles from them.

13

But note that you couldn’t do that with a floating dip tube of any sort.

14

I used this for dry hopping with medium results.  I get better aroma with loose hop pellets.
https://utahbiodieselsupply.com/brewingfilters.php#cornydryhopper

15

[/quote]
But note that you couldn’t do that with a floating dip tube of any sort.

[/quote]

I use this with whole hops, they float, does not clog with whole hops.  Now pellets are a different beast all together. They sink and love to clog.

16

But note that you couldn’t do that with a floating dip tube of any sort.

[/quote]

I use this with whole hops, they float, does not clog with whole hops.  Now pellets are a different beast all together. They sink and love to clog.

[/quote]

I just meant that you couldn’t use one of those canisters with a floating dip tube,  the dip tube equipment would get hung up on it.  Loose hops with or without a screen as needed will be fine.  Clear Beer has an optional screen for the intake.

17

[/quote]

I just meant that you couldn’t use one of those canisters with a floating dip tube,  the dip tube equipment would get hung up on it.  Loose hops with or without a screen as needed will be fine.  Clear Beer has an optional screen for the intake.

[/quote]

Ahh, got it. makes sense.  thanks

18

I did buy the Clear Beer system.  It made it here in 1 day!!  I included the screen, a tad pricey though. It will be tested on a clogged dry hopped IPA today. Will post results.  Hopefully the keg won’t gush when I open it, I have been bleeding it all week long.

19

I’ve had good success with the Top-Draw dip tubes, I have three and will buy more when they are back in stock. Initially I did experience the issue of “No-Draw” mentioned by Robert, especially when filling my portable cannonball kegs, I presume because of the extended draw. Then I read that the trick was in how you connect the float to the dip tube. They are connected with a SS split ring, there are two holes in the end of the dip tube that this ring passes through. The trick is to only use one of the holes. Not sure if it’s completely foolproof but I haven’t had an issue since I made the change at the beginning of the Summer…

20

I started using this recently:

https://fhsteinbart.com/product/auto-siphon-screen-1-18-x-21/

I just fermented a super hoppy beer, two weeks in the primary and then straight to the keg.  I dry hopped the beer in a bag with some weights, then I racked to the keg using the screen in the link above.  Super clear beer, one transfer, and I’m drinking the beer right now, a liquid toast black IPA clone.

Note, I am using all pellets for hops.  My supplier no longer carries full leaf.  This system is working wonder and screen wasn’t to pricey