Hop creep
Term from the Brauwerkstatt brewing glossary, category “Fermentation and yeast”.
Explanation
Renewed fermentation caused by dry hopping: enzymes in the hops break down sugars the yeast could not ferment before. The gravity drops again after dry hopping, and too much pressure can build up in bottles. So only bottle once the gravity is stable after dry hopping too.
Test your knowledge
What is hop creep?
- A hop aroma that fades after a few days
- Hops growing over the garden fence
- Renewed fermentation because enzymes from dry hops break down sugar
Show answer
Correct: Renewed fermentation because enzymes from dry hops break down sugar. Enzymes in the hops make sugar fermentable that the yeast could not use before, so the gravity drops again.