In this episode of The Beer Craft, Ben and Andrew explore wet hopping, a unique brewing technique that uses freshly harvested hops to impart vibrant aromas and flavors. Learn the difference between fresh and wet hops, the challenges brewers face, and how to use wet hops effectively in your next batch.

We'll cover:

• The importance of fresh ingredients in brewing.
• Key differences between fresh and wet hops.
• Historical influences like Sierra Nevada's Northern Hemisphere Harvest Ale.
• Practical advice for homebrewers, from growing your own hops to optimizing hop additions.
• Tips on drying and storing hops for future use.

Ben also shares a fun experiment on determining alpha acid levels of your homegrown hops to get that perfect bitterness balance in your brew.

Join us as we explore why fresh is always best for hops, and tune in next week for a spooky episode just in time for Halloween: "The Real Scary Side of Brewing."

Links: 

Want to get the actual alpha acid percentage for you homegrown hop crop? 

https://www.uvm.edu/extension/nwcrops/cereal-grain-testing-lab

Here is the application form. 

https://www.uvm.edu/extension/nwcrops/cereal-grain-testing-lab

 

Music attribution. 

Twisted Twisted.mp3

 "Twisted" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

 

RetroFuture Dirty  https://drive.google.com/file/d/13BsgP109cPHL1BbrCSEgzhKJcBoCQYdk/view?usp=drive_link

 "RetroFuture Dirty" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ 

 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/13DAQQHYkmylSN63BGg2oHJIHZZ-0CkVb/view?usp=drive_link

"Covert Affair" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

 

"Shadowlands 3 - Machine" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

 

"This House" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

 

"Fox Tale Waltz Part 1 Instrumental" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/