DDH Demystified: A Dive into the Hop-Heavy Trend

DDH Demystified: A Dive into the Hop-Heavy Trend

In the ever-evolving world of craft beer, double dry hopping has emerged as a technique for intensifying hop aroma and flavor. But what exactly does it mean, what’s the hype, and what does our double dry hopping process look like at Pure Project?

first thing’s first: what is dry hopping?

Dry hopping is the process of adding hops to beer in the fermenter. This method is different from traditional hopping during the boil, which imparts bitterness by isomerizing alpha acids. Instead, dry hopping focuses on enhancing the hop’s aromatic and flavor profiles without adding extra bitterness. It allows volatile hop oils—like those responsible for citrus, tropical fruit, pine, herbal, or floral notes—to remain intact and shine through in the final beer.

Dry hopping is especially popular in hop-forward styles, like IPAs and pale ales, where vibrant aromas and fresh hop character are key to the beer’s appeal.

 

make it double: enter double dry hopping (ddh)

Depending who you ask, double dry hopping can mean different things. To some, it refers to adding hops twice during the dry hopping phase—usually once during fermentation and again afterward. To others, the term could be used to signify a more intensely hopped beer, by using double the amount of hops in one large dry hop addition. And because brewing is equal parts science and creative exploration, it could also encompass both interpretations: adding an extra dose of hops in two separate dry hop stages.

At the end of the day, double dry hopping is about enhancing the drinking experience. Whether it’s rooted in science, creativity, or both!

WHAT IMPACT CAN DDH HAVE ON THE BEER?

Biotransformation

Adding hops during fermentation allows yeast to interact with hop compounds, transforming them into new flavor-active molecules. This process results in vibrant, tropical flavors that wouldn’t emerge otherwise—A major factor behind the tropical juice-like taste of murky (or hazy) IPAs.

 

Increased Saturation

Because these hops aren’t being boiled, you get a more intense hop character—aroma and flavor—without significantly increasing bitterness. It’s a way to push hop expression to the limit while keeping the beer smooth and drinkable.

 

Layered Complexity

Adding hops at various stages allows for the enhancement of different hop characteristics—like those that are bright and refreshing, and others that are danker and more resinous.

 

Flexibility & Control

By splitting the hop additions, there’s greater precision in achieving the desired result. Different hop varieties can be used at each stage, or timing can be adjusted to enhance complexity and balance.

HOW PURE DOES DDH

While all of our IPAs can be defined as being double dry hopped from simply the amount of hops we use in the dry hop alone, there are some Pure Project beers that have DDH listed in the actual beer style, like our upcoming DDH West Coast IPA release, Double Dutch. But what makes Double Dutch different?

Our DDH process at Pure Project, in relation to beers like Double Dutch—which we formally refer to as a DDH West Coast IPA—is achieved by splitting our dry hop into two separate additions, as well as increasing the amount of hops we are adding into the beer. In fact, Double Dutch has 50% more hops altogether than other specialty IPAs we’ve brewed recently, and three times as many hops as the IPAs we were making when we first opened in 2016!

TRY OUR LATEST DDH STYLE BEER

Double Dutch, our new DDH West Coast IPA with Centennial, Cascade, & Citra Cryo hops, will be available at all Pure Project taprooms in San Diego County starting Thursday, May 1st.

Don’t live by a taproom? Visit our Beer Locator to find out which California retailers near you are carrying Pure beer!
*Call ahead to confirm availability.