Hop Plugs

[glennheinzel]

Hi all,

I'm about to rack my ESB clone to secondary and would like to dry hop using some Styrian Goldings plugs.

Do I need to break up the plug before throwing them into secondary or do I just throw the whole plug in and let nature run its course? (I've searched this site and the web to no avail)

Also, should I throw the hop plug into a tea ball or should I just let it float on top?

Cheers,

Rukh.

 

[mika]

Can just let it float, just be careful not to drain it into your bottles/keg.
I'd be breaking it up to be sure it all get's exposed. I've thrown pellets in, but I think if they get wet they'd break up anyway. I think you'd need to rip the plug apart first...my drunken thorts anyway :beer:

 

[Adamt]

Hi all,

I'm about to rack my ESB clone to secondary and would like to dry hop using some Styrian Goldings plugs.

Do I need to break up the plug before throwing them into secondary or do I just throw the whole plug in and let nature run its course? (I've searched this site and the web to no avail)

Also, should I throw the hop plug into a tea ball or should I just let it float on top?

Cheers,

Rukh.

Either or, tea ball makes clean up quite a bit easier though. Break it up if you want.

 

[Doc]

I break them up as those little buggers are usually quite compressed and you typically won't get all of the plug to get in contact with the beer.
I take a big sharp knife and cut them down the middle (horizontal) and that usually is enough.

Beers,
Doc

 

[jpbirbeck]

I've used plugs a stack of times without breaking them up, its not necessary, once they hit the beer they soak up a bit and split apart themselves.

Its fine to let float on top as the plug is compressed whole hop flowers and as a result the bits are quite big and don't get through the tap in my experience. Plugs are better than pellets for dry hopping for that reason.

 

[glennheinzel]

It seems that those little suckers are pretty versatile and can be successfully used many ways.

Thanks all for the advice.

 

[rough60]

My preference for dry hopping is definately fresh plugs or flowers.
you may get the odd seed in your glass though.

 

[glennheinzel]

I ended up throwing the plug in whole. I checked it tonight and for the most part it was one big clump.

I then used a (sterilised) fork to break it up. It turns out that it was only loosely clumped together so it was probably okay as it was.

Although it might not make a huge difference, I might cut it into halves/quarters next time.