Dry Hopping

[MARK123]

I have a strong pale that has been 1 week primary, 4 days secondary.....I bottled a couple (as usual) for taste...seems I need more bitterness do I dry hop???.....Should I boil the hops with a little water, cool and add through air lock hole ....or what?????

[Caffinehog]

Dry-hopping will add some bitterness, but mostly just an aromatic flowery scent and taste. If you want to bitter it more, you have to boil some hops for about 45 minutes and add them. Don't get me wrong... you may LOVE dry-hopping once you try it, but it's not about bitterness. Dry-hopping would actually probably compliment the flavor of a strong pale ale very well. You'd get something similar to an IPA or an American Pale ale.

[brewmonkey]

Dry hopping will add NO bitterness as the alpha acids must be isomerized to do so and that requires boiling them. Dry hopping will add some flavor but mostly aroma to the beer.

[MARK123]

If i take out about a quart thru the spigot and boil it for an hour with the hops, then add it back after it cools, will it add bitterness???

[sallad]

you could try that... but i'd just let it be, it can't be THAT bad... learn from it and add more bittering hops next time you brew the same recipe!

[orb]

I'd let it completely ferment out. One week before bottling. I'd boil 1 ounce of cascade hops 1 1/2 hours in 2 quarts of water/ 1/2 Oz in 15 minute steep/chill down and add this mixture before bottling..........What ya think?