Hopsock vs Hopscreen

[a1149913]

Hey guys, just wondering if you see any difference in amount of flavour, aroma, bitterness extracted when comparing a hopsock to letting the hops throughout the entire boiling wort? Especially considering how clogged the sock can get when using pellets (preventing wort circulation though the sock?)

Thanks, Jacob.

 

[QldKev]

It's been discussed on a few times. Some say hop socks reduce the hop potential, other say it doesn't. For me it's let the hops go nude swimming. You wont need a hop screen if you whirlpool correctly.

 

[wide eyed and legless]

Jacob the hop sock will release the oils from the hop pellets I think that you are starting to worry over nothing, what are your expectations of what will happen when using a hop sock ?

 

[Batz]

I've used a hop sock on tons of brews, I love the way it reduces trub. But chuck it aside and see the difference in your brews, if you can brew without out it do so. Hop socks are a killer for hops IMO, if you use a plate chiller your stuck with it, otherwise jump in there and taste the difference.

Batz

 

[yankinoz]

I've followed the same recipes, with and without hop sock. Except for additions at, near or after knockout I've noticed no difference provided the hop sock is filled less than one fifth full of pellets and I move the sock around frequently during the boil. In very late additions I found a difference in two trials. Again, I'm talking about pellets; I suspect flowers would be prone to clogging the sock but haven't tried it.

 

[Batz]

At the end of boil lift the hop sock, it's takes ages to drain if it does at all.

If it does not drain well how can you get hop utilization, you need wort flowing around those hops.
This is just me but I've had a hop sock, the fine and more course type ones for many years. After doing away with chillers that can become blocked, I've started chucking my hops in free, I know there's a big difference.

Batz

.

 

[a1149913]

At the end of boil lift the hop sock, it's takes ages to drain if it does at all.

If it does not drain well how can you get hop utilization, you need wort flowing around those hops.
This is just me but I've had a hop sock, the fine and more course type ones for many years. After doing away with chillers that can become blocked, I've started chucking my hops in free, I know there's a big difference.

Batz

.

My thoughts exactly batz.

I've just got myself a chugger pump so i'll see how the whirlpooling goes.

 

[technobabble66]

... if you use a plate chiller your stuck with it, otherwise jump in there and taste the difference.

Batz

... erm ... i have a plate chiller that i'm yet to use.
How bad is the blockage issue? Can't you get enough filtering from hopscreens/steel wool/etc to prevent the plate chiller from getting blocked?
... I prefer my hops to roam free - the utilisation dynamics are pretty simple, that the hops are best floating free.

 

[Truman42]

Because I use a plate chiller I also use a hop spider. (I didnt bother last brew and even though I had a nice trub cone in the middle of my kettle I still had hop particles block up the chiller when I first started transfer.)

Because the bag is nice and open I tend to get good wort flow through the bag, compared to a hop sock hanging on the side of your kettle. I use a stainless nut to weigh the bag down and at EOB I place a fridge shelf on top of the kettle and sit the bag on top to drain. It only takes a minute or less to drain. The bags are paint strainer bags from Bunnings which have a larger mesh than most hop socks Ive seen.

 

[unclebarrel]

When extract brewing i threw mine in nudies, now doing BIAB I use hop sacks, but I saw these little gems on a you tube clip and decided to snag a few.
I am hoping they allow wort to flow through well, they are 90mm diameter.
Basically large tea strainers. Cheap as chips too, about $8 including delivery.
Yet to use them, brewing tomorrow, I'll let you know.

 

[QldKev]

When extract brewing i threw mine in nudies, now doing BIAB I use hop sacks, but I saw these little gems on a you tube clip and decided to snag a few.
I am hoping they allow wort to flow through well, they are 90mm diameter.
Basically large tea strainers. Cheap as chips too, about $8 including delivery.
Yet to use them, brewing tomorrow, I'll let you know.

ImageUploadedByAussie Home Brewer1391813805.506322.jpg

I use them to throw hops in the kegs. They squeeze through the corny keg opening nicely.

 

[unclebarrel]

Thanks Kev, good tip for when I start kegging !

 

[Rambo]

When extract brewing i threw mine in nudies, now doing BIAB I use hop sacks, but I saw these little gems on a you tube clip and decided to snag a few.
I am hoping they allow wort to flow through well, they are 90mm diameter.
Basically large tea strainers. Cheap as chips too, about $8 including delivery.
Yet to use them, brewing tomorrow, I'll let you know.

ImageUploadedByAussie Home Brewer1391813805.506322.jpg

Where did you get these unclebarrel? Been looking for something similar for dry hopping.

Cheers

 

[Ross]

When extract brewing i threw mine in nudies, now doing BIAB I use hop sacks, but I saw these little gems on a you tube clip and decided to snag a few.
I am hoping they allow wort to flow through well, they are 90mm diameter.
Basically large tea strainers. Cheap as chips too, about $8 including delivery.
Yet to use them, brewing tomorrow, I'll let you know.

ImageUploadedByAussie Home Brewer1391813805.506322.jpg

I would suggest getting a magnet & testing the locking pin. All tea strainers I've found have steel pins (chrome plated) & after a short while they'll corrode & rust in your beer - AVOID - it's why we no longer sell them.
If it's non-magnetic, please let me know as I've been unable to source any.


Cheers Ross

Edit: With regards to the original question, I've brewed hundreds of beers with & without hopsock, & I defy anyone to pick one from the other on a blind test. You can't detect differences as low as 5 IBU & hop bags /socks should not make more than approx 1 ibu difference. I could get a couple of side by side brews tested, but the nay sayers would still claim different, so not much point

 

[paulmclaren11]

I use one of those large hop socks craftbrewer sell and I think they are awesome - http://www.craftbrewer.com.au/shop/details.asp?PID=698

Allows for all your additions during the boil and allows heaps of wort to boil through the hops (I use pellets).

I do stir the hops in the sock when I add them, especially late additions.

I never have an issue with the sock draining - I just give it a little squeeze to get the rest of hoppy goodness out.

I am pro sock!

 

[peas_and_corn]

Where did you get these unclebarrel? Been looking for something similar for dry hopping.

Cheers

I have a few, and they are for spicing roasts. I'm sure cooking stores stock them- though I got mine though Avon

 

[breakbeer]

Pick up the hop sock every now & then and slap it against the side of the pot, this loosens up the particles that are stuck to the bag & lets it drain easier

my 2c

 

[mckenry]

mmm well i have a large hop sock that i dont use anymore. my hops go in commando and i have a plate chiller that never blocks. what am i doing wrong?

 

[breakbeer]

 

mmm well i have a large hop sock that i dont use anymore. my hops go in commando and i have a plate chiller that never blocks. what am i doing wrong?

 


Your plate chiller may not be blocked, but it's possibly full of crud that will bite you in the *** one day

(that, or you're the king of whirlpooling)

 

[Batz]

Edit: With regards to the original question, I've brewed hundreds of beers with & without hopsock, & I defy anyone to pick one from the other on a blind test. You can't detect differences as low as 5 IBU & hop bags /socks should not make more than approx 1 ibu difference. I could get a couple of side by side brews tested, but the nay sayers would still claim different, so not much point

That's the wonderful thing about this hobby, we all believe and brew differently. Some believe filtering, no chilling, skimming, racking, gelatine, etc makes a difference to their beers, and if they believe it does and it could, good on them. Hey there's even a bloke who can pick a Braumeister beer at 50 paces :lol: :lol: :lol: .

Each to his own, but it's nice we can all have a say here.

Batz