bitterness ratio in Beer Smith?

Just noticed the bitterness ratio in Beer Smith. What ratio should one shoot for, for different styles?

I did a Blonde Ale, which had a ratio of .49, which I found to be under hopped.

I did a IPA (still in fermenter) which had a ratio of 1.03. Is this going to be way too high?

Maybe someone else can point to an online source for bitterness ratios by style, but I can tell you that Ray Daniels establishes a range for this in each style he covers in Designing Great Beers.

check out this link, about mid-way down
http://beercolor.netfirms.com/balance.html
there's a table of ratios for various styles

A4J said:

check out this link, about mid-way down
http://beercolor.netfirms.com/balance.html
there's a table of ratios for various styles

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seems like they are demonstrating a different value, not the bitterness ratio?

You can calculate them yourself from the BJCP style guidelines which list both the OG range and the IBU range.

http://www.bjcp.org/stylecenter.html

GT

Got Trub? said:

You can calculate them yourself from the BJCP style guidelines which list both the OG range and the IBU range.

http://www.bjcp.org/stylecenter.html

GT

Click to expand...

that's perfect, but I have a follow up question. I looked at the english IPA category - the IPA I'm currently brewing. my bitterness ratio is 1.02, however, it looks as if the range for english IPA would be 1.2 -> .53, with an average being about .8. does this mean that mine is "in style" but on the high side?

FWIW: my IBUs are 59, with an OG of 57

tranceamerica said:

does this mean that mine is "in style" but on the high side?

FWIW: my IBUs are 59, with an OG of 57

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Yes. I think you'll be fine.

Actually, unless you're entering this beer into a competition, dont' even worry about the BU:GU ratio. If you're going to be drinking it all at home then do whatever you want. That's what makes this hobby so friggin great.

ohiobrewtus said:

Yes. I think you'll be fine.

Actually, unless you're entering this beer into a competition, dont' even worry about the BU:GU ratio. If you're going to be drinking it all at home then do whatever you want. That's what makes this hobby so friggin great.

Click to expand...

Thanks, I agree. Just trying to learn to be a better brewer - I enjoy making up my own recipes, but am trying to learn what would make the beer taste "good" versus "bad". I think a lower gravity ale, with high IBU would taste pretty good, but I don't want to make a monster.

my next steps are to learn what the specialty malts add to each beer, and to learn what types of hops are appropriate, taste good together.

I listened to an interview with one of the guys from New Belgium (most famous for fat tire) where he ranted for a good 10 minutes on how much he hates the idea of beer styles and considers himself to be an artist that doesn't want to be constrained to style guidelines. I halfway agree... styles are great for choosing beers you're not familiar with, and they give you a good starting point for hitting the kind of flavors you want. On the other hand, some of the best beers i've had don't fit a classic style, usually because their hoppiness is out of line with the style (3 Flloyds Gumball Head - well hopped wheat, Houblon Chouffe highly-hopped belgian tripel). So take the BU/GU ratio with a grain of salt and experiment with what you think will taste good, not what will taste 'right'