Coopers Aussie pale ale - dry hop advice?

[Jimcee]

Hiya gang

I have started on my 4th coopers kit, apa this time.

I want to add a new technique. Dry hopping

Which can you recommend would be good with this and amount?

Cascade? Saaz?

I am putting in 4 days after initial fermentation. And leaving FV for 14 days in total.

Following the 2 2 2 principle.

Look forward to any insight or advice you can give this rookie.

[Old Elver]

Why not try one of the Aussie hops? Galaxy or Summer? May be Pride of Ringwood? All available at BrewUK.
If you are looking for additional flavour rather than just aroma then you'll need to either add to the last 10-15 minutes of the boil or make a "Hop Tea" (but you probably know that already )
OE

[bloodsmith]

+1 to OE.

You may want to try http://byo.com/resources/hops. and look at flavurs and styles of beer for your hops, might help.

I dry hop 30g four days into fermentation and am yet to do a hop tea so I cannot tell you the difference or which is better.

I personally use 2 - 1 - 4, using the beer fridge because I can ferment primary and secondary at the same temp. I prefer a longer conditioning period once its bottled.

There is however nothing wrong with 2-2-2 as I have used this as well.

[Jimcee]

Many thanks. Went for summer hops. Matches the flavours I'm aiming for and not too intense.

Should I crumble the hops before adding to muslin sack and FV?

[Old Elver]

I tend to just break the cones apart a bit whilst they are still in the foil pack just to loosen them up.
I don't bother with a bag but just put them straight in.
Sometimes you get an odd flake coming through into the bottle but it's not an issue and justs proves the authenticity of your brew!
OE

[grmski]

Also best practice to sterilise the muslin sock as well. I give mine a short boil before using it.

[bloodsmith]

+1 to both OE and Grmski.

I just bug them in broken up a bit, racking using a young auto-syphon so it tends to sit above the trub and filters the Hops out, beers have come out clear.

If you use a muslin bag, sterlise some marbles which will make the bag sink, some people leave them on top to float some wieght the bag down, matter of preference really.

[Jimcee]

Thanks chaps. That's really helpful. God bless the Internet.

[Old Elver]

Thanks chaps. That's really helpful. God bless the Internet.

...and All Hail To The Ale!

[Gipsy]

Thanks chaps. That's really helpful. God bless the Internet.

...and All Hail To The Ale!

+1

[Jimcee]

OE - I have added 30g to the FV.

Should I stir or will the hops sink as the fermentation subsides?

I have just crumbled them in. No sack / bag

Cheers.

[Jimcee]

Should I be removing the hops from the FV? I have just read this in another post.

I put in at day 4, and plan to leave fv to go to 14 days.

Many thanks

[Old Elver]

just leave them in.
When you bottle or keg you may find that some hop material comes through.
It's a real product. ...I keep those to myself .
OE

[Jimcee]

Update from me.

I've just cracked open an APA brew after 14 days in FV, and 7 days conditioning at 20'c.

Dry hopped 30g cascade from day 4. I read since then that leaving the hops in after 5/6 days makes the beer taste grassy, less fresh.. Certainly not a problem here.

If you've ever wanted to make an American pale ale or similar then this is for you.

The intense smell of hops, lacing and head retention adds a whole new dimension to the coopers pale ale kits.

Recommended! Don't think it's going to last long.

[Gipsy]

Happy days

Well done mate, I have never had a grassy taste either. Even after a 10 day hop, I guess it must depend on the hop and it's freshness maybe

[Jimcee]

Nice one Gipsy! Have a a good un