Carbonated beer needs to be dry hopped

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by CADETS3, Feb 23, 2016.

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  1. CADETS3

    CADETS3 Initiate (0) Dec 3, 2014 Texas

    I poured a sample of a black IPA yesterday and it is very bland in hop aroma. The beer is already carbonated but I would like to dry hop it. What is the best way or only way to de-gas the keg? Leave the prv open?
     
    #1 CADETS3, Feb 23, 2016
  2. billandsuz

    billandsuz Pooh-Bah (2,097) Sep 1, 2004 New York
    Pooh-Bah

    No big deal. You can just disconnect the gas, open the keg and dry hop it. You will have to pull the valve to get the top off as is usual. Then you reapply the gas, purge the headspace of air and leave the regulator on. There is no damage done from opening the keg. In theory you are exposing the beer to oxygen but in practice the top of the beer is blanketed pretty well with CO2. There is virtually no oxygen introduced if you are careful
    Cheers.
    .
     
    #2 billandsuz, Feb 23, 2016
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  3. CADETS3

    CADETS3 Initiate (0) Dec 3, 2014 Texas

    The beer won't foam up like crazy?
     
    #3 CADETS3, Feb 23, 2016
  4. DunkelFester

    DunkelFester Zealot (607) Aug 24, 2004 Pennsylvania

    If it's chilled and you're just adding hops? No, it won't foam up 'like crazy'. I'd use whole hops in a bag if I were you (less likely to plug the dip tube that way).
     
    #4 DunkelFester, Feb 23, 2016
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  5. FeDUBBELFIST

    FeDUBBELFIST Pooh-Bah (1,765) Oct 31, 2009 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah

    It might not foam up 'like crazy' but it *will* foam up and you are probably dealing with a full keg and not a lot of headspace to spare. Definitely exercise caution and be prepared to move quickly just in case. Make sure you weigh your hops down too.

    Will this round of dry hops be at refrigerator or room temps?
     
    #5 FeDUBBELFIST, Feb 23, 2016
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  6. ChrisMyhre

    ChrisMyhre Initiate (0) Sep 15, 2013 Massachusetts

    I mentioned in the other thread that I have done this a few times without incident. Others have had problems. The other option is to purge a second keg, add dry hops to that empty keg and transfer via jumper. Would take the worry out of the equation of you have a spare keg.
     
    #6 ChrisMyhre, Feb 23, 2016
  7. ryane

    ryane Initiate (0) Nov 21, 2007 Washington

    Make and use a hop randall
     
    #7 ryane, Feb 23, 2016
  8. CADETS3

    CADETS3 Initiate (0) Dec 3, 2014 Texas

    It will remain in the refrigerator. I planned on adding 2 oz. I also know that it'll take longer to extract the flavors at the colder temperatures. Am I looking at about 2-3 weeks to dry hop, approximately?
     
    #8 CADETS3, Feb 23, 2016
  9. ChrisMyhre

    ChrisMyhre Initiate (0) Sep 15, 2013 Massachusetts

    I generally do about 10-12 days at keezer temp if I have a free keg to jump to. Cold dry hops do also give a ton of that "face in a bag of hops" aroma. I'm a big fan. I'm not super sensitive to grassy flavors and tend to drink hoppy beers quickly and do sometimes leave the keg dry hop in for the duration.
     
    #9 ChrisMyhre, Feb 23, 2016
  10. CADETS3

    CADETS3 Initiate (0) Dec 3, 2014 Texas

    Man!! I feel like I've been trolled!! I added 2 oz of jarylo in a bag with something to weigh it down. Everything seemed well for about 2 seconds. I wasn't able to get the lid on In time and then the keg became a gusher. I lost about 5 pints but it's the clean up part that kinda irritated me, lol!! I definitely know for next time to dry hop pre-carbonation.
     
    #10 CADETS3, Feb 23, 2016
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  11. ChrisMyhre

    ChrisMyhre Initiate (0) Sep 15, 2013 Massachusetts

    I wonder what the difference between success and failure is. You got the lid on and sealed and beer came out around the o rings before you applied enough pressure to seat the lid?
     
    #11 ChrisMyhre, Feb 23, 2016
  12. CADETS3

    CADETS3 Initiate (0) Dec 3, 2014 Texas

    No, I used a small paint strainer like bag but it comes with a thick twine to pull tight and close the bag. The hop bag was pushed up to the top from the pressure and when I closed the lid, the thicker twine on the bag got closed between the lid and the keg. As opposed to the floss.
     
    #12 CADETS3, Feb 23, 2016
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  13. billandsuz

    billandsuz Pooh-Bah (2,097) Sep 1, 2004 New York
    Pooh-Bah

    Sorry to hear this. Really.
    I have never had this happen. Not in 20 years of brewing, well 10 years of kegging.
    Maybe if the keg was full right to the top and the bag displaced enough to lift the beer over the opening. This really sucks.
    Clean up is just salt in he wound too. Damn it.
     
    #13 billandsuz, Feb 23, 2016
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  14. jlordi12

    jlordi12 Pooh-Bah (1,856) Jun 8, 2011 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah

    You were warned...http://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/dry-hopping-explosion.368866/#post-4363354
     
    #14 jlordi12, Feb 23, 2016
  15. CADETS3

    CADETS3 Initiate (0) Dec 3, 2014 Texas

    No problem man! Part of the learning process!
     
    #15 CADETS3, Feb 23, 2016
  16. CADETS3

    CADETS3 Initiate (0) Dec 3, 2014 Texas

    #16 CADETS3, Feb 23, 2016
  17. GreenKrusty101

    GreenKrusty101 Initiate (0) Dec 4, 2008 Nevada

    Was this Black IPA dryhopped at all previously? If not, I think you might find it is still bland with only 2 oz of Jarrylo dry hops. Sometimes, it is better to leave well enough alone and adjust on the next batch, imho. cheers
     
    #17 GreenKrusty101, Feb 23, 2016
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