Hop sparging

[Andy]

Reading Dave Line's Big Book of Brewing today. I notice that in the chapter on boiling he has a section on sparging the hop filter bed left in the copper after the wort has been run off through the cooler.

"Hops can absorb and retain a considerable amount of extract which must be retrieved to maintain efficiency and economy.......Some of the protein matter will bound to be washed through by this action"

Interesting! Anyone do this on here ? Line recommends using boiling water, one pint for each gallon of beer.

I'd be concerned about washing through general gunk by this process but in reality does that make any difference ?

Perhaps this is one of the reasons why Line's recipes assume a really high efficiency ?

[Jim]

I don't bother to hop sparge. As far as I'm concerned, it's hard enough to keep all the crap out of the fermenter without doing that. And after all, if you just use a bit extra malt in the mash, losing a bit of extract won't matter.

It'll still be cheap booze anyway! B)

[James]

Dont 'hop sparge'....simple and honest reason......can't be arsed!

JC

[Andy]

Note: Just read the boiling section in Wheeler's book and he doesn't recommend hop sparging due to the potential to wash undesirables from the trub through to the FV.

[jean-yves]

QUOTE (andy @ Jan 30 2006, 12:40 PM) Note: Just read the boiling section in Wheeler's book and he doesn't recommend hop sparging due to the potential to wash undesirables from the trub through to the FV.
i agree with that, andy, and jim's right, if you're afraid about the loss of extract i think it's better to add a little bit of extra malt;

i don't 'hop sparge'

[BlightyBrewer]

Jim, do you use a grain bag for your hops in the kettle? I only ask because on your site you show the hot trub at the bottom of the kettle after the boil...and there isn't a hop in sight....mysterious.... :blink:

[Jim]

DAAB is spot on.

The hops are in there, but covered in hot break material.