Using a Grain Bag for Hops Pellets and Doubling the Yeast

Sun Jan 09, 2011 6:54 am

Board: I plan to very soon brew the Code Blue Barley Wine kit from Hoptech using Pacific Coast Brewery's original recipe. It is a pretty huge brew with 12 lbs. of fermentables and an O.G. of 1.088. Is there a value or need to double the yeast to be pitched?

Also, I have read about using grain bags for hops. I will be using pellet hops. Again, is there a value or need to do this?

Thanks.

Matt
oebfan
 
Posts: 3
Joined: Sat Jan 08, 2011 5:28 am

Re: Using a Grain Bag for Hops Pellets and Doubling the Yeast

Sun Jan 09, 2011 10:51 am

oebfan wrote:Board: I plan to very soon brew the Code Blue Barley Wine kit from Hoptech using Pacific Coast Brewery's original recipe. It is a pretty huge brew with 12 lbs. of fermentables and an O.G. of 1.088. Is there a value or need to double the yeast to be pitched?


http://www.mrmalty.com/calc/calc.html can help you figure out how much yeast you need. I'm pretty certain it's going to tell you that a couple of liters of starter and/or multiple packs/vials are needed.

oebfan wrote:Also, I have read about using grain bags for hops. I will be using pellet hops. Again, is there a value or need to do this?


It can help reduce hop crud left in the kettle after the boil if the mesh is fine enough; I can't remember what the mesh looks like on a grain bag but my guess is that it will help to some degree.
User avatar
jm
 
Posts: 221
Joined: Fri Aug 27, 2010 11:51 am

Re: Using a Grain Bag for Hops Pellets and Doubling the Yeast

Sun Jan 09, 2011 12:34 pm

You will definitely WANT to make a nice sized starter for this beer and as posted above by JM, Mr. Malty can get you in the right direction.

As for bagging your hops with grain bags during the boil, this is not necessary although some people do it if they are using a large amount of hops throughout the boil (think big IPA, APA, or Imperial IPA) to reduce hop debris that would soak up precious wort in the kettle. Just keep in mind that when you use bags your hop utilization WILL slightly reduce since the hops are not completely free in the boil. I am not sure how much the reduction will be in your case, but it will probably be minimal. I would think you should just throw the hops right into the kettle for the boil. I used to use hop sacks and since have stopped as I feel I can better calculate the IBU's contributed to be more consistent with my brewing. If you are worried about the excess hop debris, simply rack your beer after chilling from the kettle into your fermenter for a cleaner product.
"A bad man is a good man's job, while a good man is a bad man's teacher."
brewinhard
Global Moderator
 
Posts: 4060
Joined: Sat Oct 25, 2008 8:41 am
Location: Fredonia, NY

Re: Using a Grain Bag for Hops Pellets and Doubling the Yeast

Sun Jan 09, 2011 1:50 pm

Board:

Thanks a lot. I think that I will check out that website for yeast utilization and skip the grain bag for hops. Thanks again.

Matt
oebfan
 
Posts: 3
Joined: Sat Jan 08, 2011 5:28 am

Return to Extract & Partial Mash Brewing

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users

A BIT ABOUT US

The Brewing Network is a multimedia resource for brewers and beer lovers. Since 2005, we have been the leader in craft beer entertainment and information with live beer radio, podcasts, video, events and more.