Fresh Hops - Refrigerate or Dry?

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by GorillaFistBrewing, Oct 1, 2013.

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  1. GorillaFistBrewing

    GorillaFistBrewing Initiate (0) Apr 4, 2012 Virginia

    I just picked about two freezer bags worth of Cascades over the weekend, realizing that I won't get much of anything out of my plants through the rest of the year. That being said, I won't be able to brew for another two to three weeks. In the meantime, what is the best way to keep the hops -- should I refrigerate them, attempt to grind them, or flat out dry them? Depending on how you respond, please elaborate on some methods that you've found to be beneficial in preserving the hop profile.

    I've read some things about freezing hops, that for flavor it isn't too bad, but for bittering it basically destroys the hop profile. Any and all suggestions are appreciated. Thanks!
     
    #1 GorillaFistBrewing, Oct 1, 2013
  2. hopfenunmaltz

    hopfenunmaltz Pooh-Bah (2,647) Jun 8, 2005 Michigan
    Pooh-Bah

    Never heard that about freezing. I vacuum pack and freeze all of my hops.

    edit dry them on a screen for a few days, then freeze. Wet they will rot and turn to mush.
     
    #2 hopfenunmaltz, Oct 1, 2013
  3. HerbMeowing

    HerbMeowing Maven (1,295) Nov 10, 2010 Virginia
    Trader

    Screen-dry or
    Spread on a cookie sheet and fluff them a time or two each day or
    Put them in a bucket about 4 - 6" deep and shake to mix a time or two each day.

    No matter what method, they'll be dry in three days or so as long as your inside humidity isn't too high.

    Since you expect to use them right soon, put the dry cones in a freezer bag(s), squeeze out the air, seal, and store in fridge. I've had mine stored that way since the end of August. Dip into the bag from time to time to garnish an IPA. Hope there's enough left to dry hop the Anchor Liberty pale ale clown later this month.
     
    #3 HerbMeowing, Oct 2, 2013
    GorillaFistBrewing likes this.
  4. GorillaFistBrewing

    GorillaFistBrewing Initiate (0) Apr 4, 2012 Virginia

    Thanks, guys. I ended up putting them in freezer bags, squeezing the air out, and currently have them sitting in the fridge. I'm checking on them daily to make sure they don't turn to mush. I'm going to look to the screen drying method next season. I also realized I need to invest in a vacuum sealer. Thanks for the tips! Hopefully they hold up until the 19th when I plan to brew.
     
    #4 GorillaFistBrewing, Oct 5, 2013
  5. VikeMan

    VikeMan Grand Pooh-Bah (3,067) Jul 12, 2009 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah

    I suspect they won't, but I wish you luck.
     
    #5 VikeMan, Oct 5, 2013
  6. Homebrew42

    Homebrew42 Initiate (0) Dec 20, 2006 New York

    Wet hops are essentially fresh produce and I would not keep them in the fridge for 2-3 weeks. Would you keep fresh lettuce in the fridge for 2-3 weeks before using it? The best way to maintain home grown hops for any length of time greater than about 24 hrs is to dry them.
     
    #6 Homebrew42, Oct 5, 2013
  7. GorillaFistBrewing

    GorillaFistBrewing Initiate (0) Apr 4, 2012 Virginia

    Yeah, that got me thinking. I went ahead and got a screen door so I can dry them tomorrow.
     
    #7 GorillaFistBrewing, Oct 6, 2013
  8. jamefro

    jamefro Aspirant (248) Apr 9, 2007 Illinois

    You can freeze wet hops and the results are good. I have used them for bittering, flavor, aroma, and dry hopping. There are too many old wives tales about not being able to freeze hops and they are wrong. Just because they were traditionally dried which was the only way available to preserve them before freezers doesn't mean they can't be frozen with good results.
     
    #8 jamefro, Oct 6, 2013
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