using Pellet Hops

[steve_flack]

Was it overpowering in terms of flavour or bitterness? I can easily understand that the flavour would be stronger as the pellets break down rapidly. With the bitterness you still need to isomerise the acids which needs heat and time.

[RabMaxwell]

Hello all as i am thinking of switching to pellet hops so i have been reading up on whirlpool design. I was planning using my boiler that already has a return fitted at a 90 degree angle near the top of my kettle. But i read on Probrewer that it needs to be sighted a third of the way up your kettle. Anyone have experience using a whirlpool if i need to move the return or not.

[RabMaxwell]

Just to step back a little Rab, you can always suspend the hop sock in the boiler to keep it off the element.

I know i guess i just like constructing things

[steve_flack]

You could always construct a hook to suspend the hop sock from

I made a hook contraption out of a coat hanger -wasn't especially challenging.

[RabMaxwell]

I could weld something on still got some stainless mig wire somewhere.

[Vossy1]

I was reading recently that pelleting destroyed a particular component of the chemical make up of the hop...

Hmmmm...where did I read that

[steve_flack]

I doubt destroyed is the right world but some of the more volatile hydrocarbons may be partially driven away by the warming in processing. Additionally as the oils are extremely accessible in pellet hops it's possible that the could be driven off quicker in the boil than they would in whole hops so reducing aroma. In that case it might be better to make aroma additions very late in the boil or even after cooling below 80C.

[Aleman]

I was reading recently that pelleting destroyed a particular component of the chemical make up of the hop...

Hmmmm...where did I read that

Myrcene is one of the components that is lost during the processing (there are probably others) This means that for example Saaz hops do not produce the 'classic' saaz flavour/aroma when used as pellet hops as they do when whole. So before changing wholesale to pellets, look at the oil profile of the hops and decide if there is going to be such a change with that particular variety. If there is then you may well need to consider using whole hops for aroma/flavour additions, or brew a batch using pellets and decide if the flavour change is one you can accept.

[steve_flack]

Saaz keeps particularly poorly anyway - regardless of hop format.

Interestingly enough, I've smelt quite a few of the hop oils in their pure state and I can't say Myrcene was particularly pleasant. I've read that the US Sterling hop makes a good Saaz replacement as it's more stable as well as Motueka (Saaz B as was).

[Aleman]

I've read that the US Sterling hop makes a good Saaz replacement as it's more stable as well as Motueka (Saaz B as was).

Of course the US Hop crop has been particularly poor this year.

You know my feelings on Motueka, I love that hop Saaz on Steroids And then some.

I have emailed NZ Hops, but have not had a reply as I'm looking to get 15Kg sent over. I think I'm going to register a Brewery domain name and try from that email address as it worked well the last time.

Of course there is no way I would be able to use 15Kg on my own, so a good qty will be offered to other brewers, if I can get any that is

[steve_flack]

I have emailed NZ Hops, but have not had a reply as I'm looking to get 15Kg sent over.

I don't know if it's enough but Ross at Craftbrewer has Saaz B by the pound. The site is down right now but maybe you should check it out when it comes back online on monday?

http://www.craftbrewer.com.au/

[steve_flack]

Of course the US Hop crop has been particularly poor this year.

There's a shortage of C-hops that's for sure but there seems enough to go around of other varieties.

[bandit]

If you are going to whirlpool the wort, can you take it out from the bottom tap of a conical (used as a boiler) and pump it back in 8 inches above to create the whirlpool? The one question that sticks in my mind is, if I am recirculating and creating a cone of hops and mushed up pellets, do I let it settle and then rack it off through the side hole 8 inches above when the hop mess has settled or wil it filter like a tradtional boiler through the bottom?

[steve_flack]

That's over engineering it a bit.

If you heat by gas a whirlpool is pretty easy to make. You just take out the chiller and stir the wort and the hop debris and trub form a cone in the middle of your kettle. You then remove the wort from the side leaving the cone intact.

With elements it might be harder as they disrupt the whirlpool effect but it still might work.

What is the problem with using a nylon bag anyway? It's the simplest solution.

[bandit]

I do have some stainless steel socks used for filtration but I was concerned that the would not allow enough wort flow through them during the boil. If I do use them it would save hours with the filtering, especially with the pellets, I just have to build the NEW boiler yet. The SS boiler is here and the valves from NERO arrived today. I have looked at wire mesh for the floor as a filter but they want about 200 pounds for a 600mm diameter piece. SS Hop Sock is sounding like the best so far!