permo
Well-Known Member
I have been closely monitoring the progress of a cascade, columbus, northern brewer hopped india pale that I spiked with 2# of unpastuerized honey from a farm in MN. OG was 1.065, FG was 1.011. 7%+ ABV, simple grain bill 9 pounds two row, 8 oz caramel 60. columbus for bittering at 60 and 45, and cascade at 30 and 10 with an ounce of northern brewer for dry hop. I added the honey at flameout.
After 3 weeks in the bottle this beer was basically just bitter, with a slight hop aroma and a fiery alcohol note. After 2 months in the bottle this beer has blossomed into one of my favorite IPA's. I get a pronounced citrus and foloral honey flavor with this amazing floral aroma from the honey and NB dry hop. THe alcohol is now only evident at the very end of the swallow. It also seems like over time the carbonation has gotten to be more silky or smaller bubbles if that makes sense.
It seems like every week it gets better. My question is, what have you all noticed as far as the life cycle of your IPA's in the bottle? I was under the impression that the hop aroma/flavor was especially volotile and diminished over a period of time. I am finding that this IPA, my first....just keeps getting better. Make me wonder if I should wait a month or two before tasting my others?
After 3 weeks in the bottle this beer was basically just bitter, with a slight hop aroma and a fiery alcohol note. After 2 months in the bottle this beer has blossomed into one of my favorite IPA's. I get a pronounced citrus and foloral honey flavor with this amazing floral aroma from the honey and NB dry hop. THe alcohol is now only evident at the very end of the swallow. It also seems like over time the carbonation has gotten to be more silky or smaller bubbles if that makes sense.
It seems like every week it gets better. My question is, what have you all noticed as far as the life cycle of your IPA's in the bottle? I was under the impression that the hop aroma/flavor was especially volotile and diminished over a period of time. I am finding that this IPA, my first....just keeps getting better. Make me wonder if I should wait a month or two before tasting my others?