Does volume and hops pitching time really matter?

Brewing processes and methods. How to brew using extract, partial or all-grain. Tips and tricks.

Moderator: slothrob

Post Reply
Northman
Posts: 1
Joined: Mon Jun 05, 2006 1:40 am

Does volume and hops pitching time really matter?

Post by Northman »

Why do some people boil 6 gallons and end up with a 5 gallon recipe? Also, why is it important to add the hops at certain times? Does it make a difference? Thank you.
BillyBock
Imperial Stout
Imperial Stout
Posts: 561
Joined: Sun Dec 31, 2000 11:37 am
Location: Ohio

Post by BillyBock »

People that do full-volume boils start with more because evaporation will cause the final volume to be less. Some employ partial-boils, but here are a few reasons to do full-boils: better hop extraction, lighter-colored wort, and entire volume of wort is sterilized by the boil. Each system has a different evaporation rate, so some people may start with 6 gals, others may start with 7 gals to end up at 5 gals.

Hops can be used in the wort 3 ways: bittering, flavoring, and aromatics. The longer hops stay in the boil, the more their bittering acids are dissolved into the wort (up until a point). Hop additions with 10-20 minutes remaining add flavor because the boil isn't long enough to totally isomerize the bittering acids. Lastly hop additions with a few minutes remaining, or using a hopback, have the greatest effect on aroma as you're allowing the hop's essential oils responsible for aroma pass through.

v/r
Bill
Post Reply