IPA questions

Scrow · 05-06-2009, 11:42 PM

So, I tried an IPA from a local brewery, which was phenomenal, and I would like to try recreating it or something similar. I have been brewing mostly from kits, since I am still new to this, and I noticed that many of the kits I buy have Cascade as the hops, which I don't really care for. Hence the lack of IPA in my collection.

All I can really say about the IPA I tried (I think the guy may have said it was an Imperial) was that the hops were amazing (the LHBS guy said he thinks it may have been Summit?) and it had a flavor that was very similar to almost a breakfast cereal. It was somewhat sweet and malty, with a nice strong hops flavor. This probably doesn't help much at all.

Help!! I wish I could be more precise or helpful. I guess basically I need a recipe for some good IPA. What hops are good for an IPA and what characteristics make them different?

Thanks so much everyone!!

HOOTER · 05-07-2009, 12:00 AM

American style IPA's would have hops like Chinook, Amarillo, Centennial, Columbus, Summit, Simcoe and Cascade to name a few. These all have a citrus component but some more than others (Amarillo, Centennial, Cascade and Summit are very citrusy). Some are piney (Simcoe) and some are earthy/spicy (Columbus). Combining these American style hops can give your IPA a very complex, citrusy character commonly found in this type of beer. They key is to find the specific hop characteristics your looking for and find the hops to match your preference.

heyimback · 05-07-2009, 04:56 PM

this might be overly basic, but quit using kits. 2 oz of cascades and 7 lbs of extra light dry malt extract are a good basis for an IPA recipe, keep it simple so that you can get a feel for what each ingredient brings to to the flavor. when you use a flavored can you really don't know if it was even labeled correctly. if you think your beer is not hoppy enough you can adjust the basic recipe by looking back at its individual ingredients and slightly tweak just one thing to get the flavor you want!
happy brewing

BrewDey · 05-07-2009, 05:20 PM

I too love IPAs, but am a little weary of Cascades. I do love Simcoes, Chinooks, Centennials, and Amarillos though. I'd start with a high AA hop as your bittering (60 min), and then have the bulk of the rest of your additions be within the last 15 minutes of the boil. This will let them really exhibit their flavor. Dry hopping after the primary fermentation is over is a must as well for IPAs. My preference is feeling as if someone stuck a pine cone dipped in grapefruit juice up my nose.

Scrow · 05-11-2009, 07:41 PM

Well I tried another, called "Amarillo IPA" which I assume means they used Amarillo hops. I am a little unsure of how to tell what hops I want to use. Just mess around and test different recipes I guess? Also, how do I leave a note of malt flavor in the beer after fermentation?

Scrow · 05-12-2009, 06:44 AM

Someone HAS to have an idea for what I am looking for. I am looking for an IPA with a punch in the mouth of light-flavored hops, with a strong malty finish. I am fairly certain the hops used were Summit, if that helps at all.

The key here is that the hops came out strong and bright, but the drink was backed with a nice, almost sweet and caramel malty flavor at the end. I need that malty flavor to remain at the end.

HELP!

HOOTER · 05-12-2009, 03:22 PM

First, are you an extract, PM or AG brewer? We can help you formulate a recipe if we know what type of recipe's your setup for.

SC_Ryan · 05-12-2009, 03:59 PM

This is the extract brewing section so I'm guessing he's an extract brewer.

THart · 05-12-2009, 05:11 PM

What was the IPA you tried that you liked so much in the first place?

Oh yeah, maybe you should try some of the more traditional English IPA hops like Fuggles & Kent Goldings. They're not so citrusy, more floral & Northern Brewer maybe fo bittering.

SC_Ryan · 05-12-2009, 05:39 PM

What is it that you don't like about Cascade? If we knew it might be easier to point you in the right direction.