Xperi-Mental 366

[bigdave]

Got some Experimental 366 from malt miller last week so I figured I should try them out! Yeast will be US05 and I'll be dry hopping 20g once fermentation is done.

[CestrIan]

mango, grapefruit and pineapple! Sounds nice Dave. Let us know how it turns out.

[killer]

Does seem to be all the rage at the moment.
Be interested to hear how it compares to the other American big boys... Or is it another hope on its own.

[bigdave]

I'm hoping this turn out nice. Mash is on, so ill let you all know.

[bigdave]

Had what looked like an infection introduced by the hop bag but managed to salvage all but the top 4ltrs and it smells and tastes AMAZING!

[Cpt.Frederickson]

Good work bigdave, I lost a whole batch once when I dry hopped and it was hugely disappointing. I used to bag the hops, but I have followed the lead of others and whizzed mine up in a blender before adding to the fermenter, then crash chilling to drop it out and racking with fine muslin over the autosiphon.
I have to say, this method was truly excellent, the flavours in the sample I took when bottling were far superior to anything previously and the aroma was excellent. Maybe give it a shot next time around, no bag means no infection AND better flavours in my experience.
Be interested to know what it turns out like, considering buying some of this hop soon...

[bigdave]

Ill give that a go. Cheers.

[orlando]

Had what looked like an infection introduced by the hop bag but managed to salvage all but the top 4ltrs and it smells and tastes AMAZING!

At what point did you dry hop?

[bigdave]

Had what looked like an infection introduced by the hop bag but managed to salvage all but the top 4ltrs and it smells and tastes AMAZING!

At what point did you dry hop?

It was about 8-9 days in to fermentation and dry hopped for a week before the infection began to show.

[orlando]

Had what looked like an infection introduced by the hop bag but managed to salvage all but the top 4ltrs and it smells and tastes AMAZING!

At what point did you dry hop?

It was about 8-9 days in to fermentation and dry hopped for a week before the infection began to show.

The reason I ask is that at the end of fermentation you have a few things going for you to prevent infection, this sounds like you were probably there. That does rather point the figure at the hop bag. I boil mine for 10 minutes and then soak them in Starsan before using, what did you do?

[bigdave]

Boiled for about 10 mins and allowed it to cool. I was 1/2 way through another brewday at the time so it's very possible that I had something from outside on my hands that transferred to the hop bag.

[orlando]

Boiled for about 10 mins and allowed it to cool. I was 1/2 way through another brewday at the time so it's very possible that I had something from outside on my hands that transferred to the hop bag.

Well you were really unlucky then. I have a big document box with 5 gallons of starsan in it and I just chuck stuff I'm going to use later in it and only bring it out as I go to use it, helps enormously as I'm always being distracted and it doesn't take long for undesirables to get back in on the brew day.

[bigdave]

I'm starting to realise I need some star san!!

[orlando]

I'm starting to realise I need some star san!!

Well if you watch this you will want PBW as well and that is nowhere near as economical http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfizPEqa ... ubs_digest

[darkonnis]

Wouldn't worry. The guy knows what he's talking about. However he isn't 100% on the mark, he mentions using detergents and things like normal soaps and washing up liquid and how they leave an oil over the top. He is right to a point but if you rinse plenty before getting in there with your sanitiser (star san) you shouldn't have an issue. I completely understand what he's getting at about non-rinse because you obviously reintroduce bacteria to an FV, but you're cleaning first anyway, so it isn't going to be sterile. I have no doubt that PBW would be the absolute ideal, but due to its cost, I think there is nothing wrong with a bit of washing up liquid followed up with a good rinse and starsan. You could of course, get a fragrant free washing cleaner as used by most commercial food outlets.
Which, since I bought a bottle of star san I've been doing and it is fantastic and certainly offers much better peace of mind.