The last two IPAs that really stuck out were Victory's Hop Wallop and Port Brewing's High Tide. I think the hop profile in these two beers is substantially different, but I'd really like to copy what they have in common - I'd like to make a reasonably dry, very light in color IPA.
Based on what I have on hand, I was thinking about the following (values from TastyBrew.com's calculator):
OG 1.068
FG 1.017
IBU 95
ABV 6.6 %
SRM 4
IBU 95
Boil Volume 4 gallons
Batch Size 3 gallons
Yeast : US-05 - (attenuation = 75%)
Fermentables
6 lbs Light LME
Hops
.5 oz Amarillo & .5 oz Simcoe at 20, 15, 10, & 5 min.
1.5 oz Amarillo & 1.5 oz Simcoe at FO
My questions are the following:
1) The LME is base malt and carapils, so my thinking was I don't need additional non-fermentables, which is why the grain bill is so simple. Should I press my luck and use ~.5 lb sugar to dry things out further? If not, is there anything else I might consider adding to the grain bill given my goal of a dry IPA?
2) I've never done an IPA with only late addition hops. I know people claim they get a more flavorful and less harsh beer, but is a calculated 95 IBUs too over the top for a beer in the 6.5-7% range (potentially higher and drier if I add sugar and/or the yeast attenuates beyond 75%)?
As far as limitations, I have 6 lbs of light LME on hand and plenty of both Amarillo and Simcoe hops. I also have Magnum and Styrian Goldings, but I didn't think either of those made much sense in a late-hopped IPA like this.
Thanks in advance for your help.
Based on what I have on hand, I was thinking about the following (values from TastyBrew.com's calculator):
OG 1.068
FG 1.017
IBU 95
ABV 6.6 %
SRM 4
IBU 95
Boil Volume 4 gallons
Batch Size 3 gallons
Yeast : US-05 - (attenuation = 75%)
Fermentables
6 lbs Light LME
Hops
.5 oz Amarillo & .5 oz Simcoe at 20, 15, 10, & 5 min.
1.5 oz Amarillo & 1.5 oz Simcoe at FO
My questions are the following:
1) The LME is base malt and carapils, so my thinking was I don't need additional non-fermentables, which is why the grain bill is so simple. Should I press my luck and use ~.5 lb sugar to dry things out further? If not, is there anything else I might consider adding to the grain bill given my goal of a dry IPA?
2) I've never done an IPA with only late addition hops. I know people claim they get a more flavorful and less harsh beer, but is a calculated 95 IBUs too over the top for a beer in the 6.5-7% range (potentially higher and drier if I add sugar and/or the yeast attenuates beyond 75%)?
As far as limitations, I have 6 lbs of light LME on hand and plenty of both Amarillo and Simcoe hops. I also have Magnum and Styrian Goldings, but I didn't think either of those made much sense in a late-hopped IPA like this.
Thanks in advance for your help.