Doc's Hopback

[Sean]

A hopback in a traditional English brewery is a large vessel similar to a mash tun or lauter tun, for separating the (whole) hops from the wort.

[post="67923"][/post]​

Is it not a device for separating whole hops from the wort???? therefore a Hopback??

[post="67933"][/post]​

I'm not saying the usage is wrong (although it get's me everytime) - words mean whatever everyone understands by them. Just curious.

To me hopback implies: large, open or unsealed, false bottomed vessel where the wort is allowed to sit before being run off clear. Primary purpose to separate (boil) hops and trub from wort. Extra hops are occasionally added at this stage.

This device: small, sealed vessel that wort is pumped through. Primary purpose to add extra hops for flavour, although it does also have a filtering effect.

Unfortunately, the only picture I can find of a hopback in a traditional English brewery is a physical photograph of the one at Adnams, and I'm not even sure where that's hiding at the moment. (Most UK micros have a false bottom in the copper instead.)

 

[Justin]

Hey Doc, nice bit of gear.

Do you sterilise it before use or just let the hot wort act on it before chilling? Or do you recirculate hot wort through your pump, hop back and chiller before flame out.

Cheers mate.
Justin

 

[mikem108]

the word "back" in this usage comes from an old word for bucket but as with many words the meaning gets distorted over time.

 

[Doc]

Hey Doc, nice bit of gear.

Do you sterilise it before use or just let the hot wort act on it before chilling? Or do you recirculate hot wort through your pump, hop back and chiller before flame out.

Cheers mate.
Justin

[post="67966"][/post]​

Yeah I sterilise it when I sterilise my CFWC and inline aerator. I just fill a 5litre jug with sterilising solution and pump it through and leave it overnight.
Flush out the sterilising solution with water just before it is time to cool the wort.

Doc

 

[Doc]

First run of the Dual Hopback has just been completed on an American Amber Hopburst.

I love the aroma and flavour the hopback gives, but being restricted by mainly Cascade in flower form bugged me.
So I've gone dual hopbacks. The first hopback gets a bed of Cascade, and today I then used 20gr of Columbus, 20gr Chinook and 20gr of Challenger mixed in with more Cascade.
The second hopback is all Cascade flowers to act as a filter for any of the pellets that make it that far.

It all seem to work a treat. The internal tube is just PVC with a bunch of small holes at the bottom in each hopback. As you may see some pellets made it to the second hopback, but little to none made it to the fermenter.
The aroma is awesome. Smells like a hop garden

Only thing I'll change next time is cut back on the flowers a little in the first hopback. It was a little tight.

Beers,
Doc

 

[mika]

That many hops is starting to point some serious issues Doc...is it time for an intervention ? :huh:

 

[Doc]

Yes, Lupulin Threshold Shift has well and truely taken over.

Beers,
Doc

 

[Doc]

I think there might be, but it would involve a week off beer drinking tastless liquids like water. Not something I'm prepared to do

Doc

 

[Pumpy]

Hey Doc ,

Do you still use your double Hopback ?

I was thinking about making one ,and wondered if you regard it as a process worth including .

Pumpy

 

[Doc]

The double hopback is relatively new. I've been using the single one for quite sometime, but the double has only been around for a couple of months. I've used the double twice, and it will be staying around.
Start with one and see how you go.
I've used the double on a Hopburst and my Infinity + 1 brew.

Beers,
Doc

 

[Pumpy]

How many time do you pass the wort over the hops ?

Pumpy

 

[Doc]

How many time do you pass the wort over the hops ?

Pumpy

Just the once Pumpy, while it is hot (ie. before the chiller).

Beers,
Doc