Expert: Spencer W Thomas - 12/16/2008

Question
I currently have a reciepe that is on the 4th day of fermentation. The fermentation up to this point has been great. The instructions are telling me that after 4 or 5 days to add the last of my Cascade hops and let it stay in the fermentor for 3 or 4 more days. Is it going to screw anything up in my fermentation if I open my primary fermentor to add the hops?? Today is the day I'm supposed ot add it......

Answer
Opening the fermentor briefly is not a problem.  Don't sneeze into it. :-)

I don't know if your recipe specifies, but it'll be easier to get the beer and hops out separately if you put them into a "hop bag" (available from your homebrew shop, or you can use a piece of cheesecloth and tie it closed with string.  You should boil the bag (but not the hops) briefly to sanitize it.

There is a slight risk of contamination with "dry hopping", but it's worth it for the flavor boost.