Specifically what types of beer would you use wet hopping for and how does it affect the flavor/process differently than dry hopping a beer?
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This question is probably mistagged, as you get no official "utilization" in the way brewers mean from dry or wet hopping.– EllSep 14, 2011 at 13:54
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Wet hopping can happen at the start of the boil, so there is indeed an IBU consideration there. Dry hopping traditionally post ferment does nothing for IBUs.– brewchezSep 14, 2011 at 15:08
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Fair enough - I was feeding off the compare/contrast with dry-hopping part of the question I suppose.– EllSep 14, 2011 at 15:18
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I was a little undecided on the tags when posting, thanks for clarifying them.– chrisstSep 14, 2011 at 16:00
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2 Answers
Wet hopping is adding fresh hops to the fermentor to impart flavor and aroma to the finished beer. The principles are the same as for dry hopping - the hops are added to secondary (or to primary after fermentation is complete) 3-5 days before racking. The main difference is the hops are fresh, i.e. "wet" - the freshness gives a more vibrant aroma and cleaner flavour.
Fresh hops weigh 4-6 times more than their dry counterpart, so this needs to be taken into account when weighing. For example, if you normally dry hop with 1/2oz, then you'll need to wet hop with around 2-3oz of fresh hops.
Introducing spoilage organisms into the beer from fresh hops is unlikely, especially when added after (primary) fermentation is complete. Even so, you may want to put the hops in the freezer overnight to kill any pests, although this makes them slightly less fresh.
With fresh hops, the most desirable qualities that distinguish them from dry hops are the freshness of the volatile oils. This makes them best suited to flavoring and aroma additions, which also means there is less need to worry about the IBUs, since they contribute relatively little bitterness compared to the bittering additions. When using fresh hops in the kettle, remember that they contain a lot of water, which will be added to your wort. If you want to hit your SG on the mark, you'll need to compensate for the water added. Assuming wet hops weigh 5 times more than dry, then 4/5s of that weight is water. For example, 2oz of dry hops is 10oz when wet. Since 2oz of the wet hops is hop matter, the remaning 8oz is water.
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1Wet hops can be used for bitterness too, not just for aroma and taste.– pjreddieSep 14, 2011 at 15:12
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I like this answer, as it aligns with my background on the subject, is well expressed, and complete.– DaleSep 16, 2011 at 0:28
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@pjreddie - I didn't think bitterness could be imparted using hops cold since the bittering compounds - alpha acids - are insoluble until they are isomerised by heat. Can you tell me how wet/dry hopping can introduce bitterness?– mdmaSep 19, 2011 at 1:41
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2mdma: You're right about the solubility and lack of isomerization of alpha acids but apart from those, hop polyphenols and oxidized beta-acids can have bitter qualities and are imparted to the beer during dry-hopping. Feb 28, 2012 at 13:50
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One more for hops adding slight bitterness when used in a dry hopping addition. Hops are bitter; they taste bitter. Add them to something, they will make it a bit more bitter, boiled or not. Sep 14, 2013 at 19:38
Hops are normally picked from the bines (yes with a 'b') and quickly brought to a processing facility where they are dried in a controlled environment. The hops are then vacuum packed and set out whole or further shipped out for pelletization. These are all dried hops.
The term wet hopping is used to describe hops that are picked, and in the same short order, brought to the brew house and used. Generally that happens same day as picking or the next day. Wet (fresh) hops are very perishable...which is why they usually get dried for storage reasons.
Dry hopping is a technique term that normally describes the process of adding hops (wet or dried) to finished beer. Many breweries that have access to "wet" hops will indeed dry hop the finished beer as well as use them in the boil.
There aren't any limits to using wet hops if you have a supply of fresh/wet hops put them in any beer you like and see what the results are. The types of beer that use wet hops are typically are pale ales and IPAs. Any style that is hop forward and where you want hop character to shine.
