National Homebrew Club Ireland

Brewing Discussions => Hops Board => Topic started by: RichC on February 26, 2013, 04:46:58 AM

Title: Question for hop growers
Post by: RichC on February 26, 2013, 04:46:58 AM
How do you guys estimate IBUs for homegrown hops or are they used less for bittering?
Title: Re: Question for hop growers
Post by: Will_D on February 26, 2013, 09:25:00 AM
QuoteHow do you guys estimate IBUs for homegrown hops or are they used less for bittering?

Dempsey was talking of a group savings scheme to buy shares in a Spectrophotometer  ;)
Title: Re: Question for hop growers
Post by: RichC on February 26, 2013, 12:52:10 PM
Quote
QuoteHow do you guys estimate IBUs for homegrown hops or are they used less for bittering?

Dempsey was talking of a group savings scheme to buy shares in a Spectrophotometer  ;)
Just been checking prices online:) think I prefer Shanes system and to spend my cash on grain and yeast
Title: Re: Question for hop growers
Post by: Will_D on February 26, 2013, 03:12:45 PM
Quote
Quote
QuoteHow do you guys estimate IBUs for homegrown hops or are they used less for bittering?

Dempsey was talking of a group savings scheme to buy shares in a Spectrophotometer  ;)
Just been checking prices online:) think I prefer Shanes system and to spend my cash on grain and yeast

Ah but you may have noticed that some of us like shinny toys to play with.



Title: Re: Question for hop growers
Post by: Tom on February 26, 2013, 03:30:14 PM
I'm getting a refractometer for that very shiny purpose. Used on in Brewlab, and they're amaze-balls.
Title: Re: Question for hop growers
Post by: Will_D on February 26, 2013, 04:11:01 PM
QuoteI'm getting a refractometer for that very shiny purpose. Used on in Brewlab, and they're amaze-balls.

Sure are.

The are absolutely the best when mashing, sparging and boiling.

Once the alcohol starts to be produced they need a bit more care and a tool such as in beer smith.

When cool you take the starting gravity of your wort with both the refractometer and the hydrometer.

These should be the same! ( a useful cross check of both instruments.

As fermentation continues if you don't want to use the hydrometer, just use the refract. and plug in the 3 numbers: Your initial 2 for the SG and the current reading and the tool takes into account the needed.