I just dry hopped in the keg on a pale ale, Amarillo whole leaf hops that are about 1.5 years old. I also used them in the brewing additions along with Centennial. They both smelled very good in the brew kettle but the Amarillo was the first and only hop I had vacuum sealed using a vacuum sealer that wasn’t as good as our FoodSaver vac sealer, the cheaper sealer couldn’t pull all the air out and the hops were still a bit “fluffy” when we sealed the bag. Even the bag material was inferior. So I’m wondering what to expect? Two days in the keg and I don’t get any luscious aroma and I pick up a “green” taste… do you think I should pull them out? Other than that the beer seems fine, maybe a bit dry but I think I’m having personal issues with dryness or something.
dean - you should always try and save your freshest, best kept hops for the aroma/dryhop additions and if you have any questionable ones, use them with more boil time. I think that goes without saying.
in terms of what you’re doing, if they looked okay and smelled alright - they are probably just fine. 2 days in to dryhopping is often a ‘green time’ IME, so I wouldn’t put any stake in what you perceive at this early of a stage.
Go drink one of those Hopslams you have - that’ll a). keep your mind of it and b). probably knock you out.
Hahahaa! The sixer of Hopslam didn’t make it more than a couple of days. :D There are some BigFoot in the back of the fridge thats been staring at me though. ;) I’ve got 3 other carboys at different stages of fermenting too so it won’t be long and I’ll have plenty of choices. ;D
Btw… the Hopslam is definitely a “hop flavor lover’s” beer. I didn’t think it was all that bitter but absolutely fantastic to drink no-less. 8) I’d like to make a few like it!
agreed - I’m usually an anti-Hopslam guy b/c I feel its overhyped and doesn’t stand up to the likes of Pliny, Maharaja, Exponential, Big-A etc. but I picked up a case while I was in Tampa (am divying it out to my brewclub buddies - not all for me) and I must say, it is very impressive this year.
still not my ideal IIPA, but I will be enjoying the bottles I got.