Comments on Homebrew Junkie: Pellet Hops Vs Whole Leaf Hops; What's the differe...

The Blichman Hopblocker is a must for leaf hop bre...

2011-07-11T17:04:38.615-07:00

The Blichman Hopblocker is a must for leaf hop brewing in a Blichman brew kettle. I tried my first batch in a new kettle without it and immediately had leaf hops block the egress. You could do pellets with this brewkettle but do not try leaf unless you have the Hopblocker. My best beer ever was an award winning Pilsner where I used 6 oz of Saaz leafs. Beyond soaking up extra wort, which with an all-grain system you can compensate for by a larger boil volume, there were no problemms and I did not have to rack off the cold trub as there was none. Call me a confirmed old leaf man and likely to remain one!

I’ve used pelletized hops quite a bit in the past ...

2011-05-20T12:06:16.095-07:00

I’ve used pelletized hops quite a bit in the past and I’ve had good luck keeping most (if not all) of the hop sludge out of my beer by putting the pellets in a grain sock and boiling them in the sock. I haven’t noticed any difference in bitterness, aroma, etc. between using the grain sock verses “free boiling” the pellets.

Matt F

I do like using pellet hops when dry hopping since...

2011-03-28T07:48:25.467-07:00

I do like using pellet hops when dry hopping since they ultimately dissolve. It is a sure fire way to know when your brew is completely fermented out because the layer of hops has settled to the bottom of the carboy. I do agree with the sludge comments but if you are careful when racking it should not be a problem.

I think the arguement is interesting but largely m...

2011-01-29T11:21:41.205-08:00

I think the arguement is interesting but largely moot, as leaf hop variety's other than Cascade and Cluster are in chronic shortage and never around when you need them.

Bob, Absolutely they are falling out of the machi...

2011-01-28T14:08:24.786-08:00

Bob,

Absolutely they are falling out of the machine and coating all of the pieces of machinery that chop them up. If you pick up a dry hop and just shake it, lupilin glands fall out all over the place. They are very delicate and that's why pellet hops lose the a.a. percentage during packaging.

The difference you saw in AA numbers for leaf vs p...

2011-01-27T11:37:33.181-08:00

The difference you saw in AA numbers for leaf vs pellet is probably an indication that they came from different growers. When you look at this year's crop from hopsdirect.com you see that their pelletized Amarillo are 10.7AA and the whole leaf Amarillo are also 10.7. Same grower, same hops = same AA.

Think about your assertion that "there are MORE lupilin glands in whole leaf hops." For the pellet hops, where would they go? Are they falling out of the machine?

I have moved into all grain brewing since the last...

2010-01-24T08:07:36.092-08:00

I have moved into all grain brewing since the last comment, but in Minnesota where the weather gets very cold, cannot do the all grain in the winter as it really needs lots of water and the hoses, especially to clean up afterward.

I like pellets for all grain as you are doing a full wort boil and can leave more sludge in the brew kettle without problems. But when I go back to extract in the winter, I absoultelu use leaf if it is availble. It makes it so much more pleasant. Brew on!

Never used whole leaf hops but I would like to try...

2010-01-23T19:07:49.459-08:00

Never used whole leaf hops but I would like to try them on my next batch. I absolutely agree about the sludge left from the pellets. It was a pain straining it and a bit messy as well. But one thing is for sure, they boil out a lot of bitterness, flavor and aroma. I think I'm going to dry hop this batch with some leaf hops. Cheers

Good info, but I'm a confirmed leaf hop brewer. Th...

2009-01-05T06:05:00.000-08:00

Good info, but I'm a confirmed leaf hop brewer. The problem is the scarcity of leaf hops.

Pellet hops dissolve and become sludge in the wort. When transfering from kettle to primary fermenter, I am passing the wort through a wire strainer. This invariably clogs when hop pellets are used. Also, the amount of sludge at the bottom of the fermenter will be easily double with pellets.

There is a simple pleasure to use leaf hops as a natural filter and sparge them after wort transfer. They never clog the strainer and its a joy compared to those blasted pellets.