Wondering if anyone has done an English bitter with American hops, or if that combo would even work.
Here's what I like about each of the 2 styles, curious if it could work in one beer!
English Bitter:
-strong malt backbone, caramel lot flavors
-great balance between hops/malt/aroma
-Fruit esters
-some residual sweetness
American IPA (note - I mainly like the ones that have a lot of aromatic hops, over an emphasis on IBU's)
-aromatic hops, lots of hop flavor.
-citrusy, piney, fruity flavors from hops.
What I don't like about (most) American IPA's/Pale Ales:
-excessive hop bitterness dominating the palate.
-malt seems thin or gets lost perhaps from the bitterness of the hops
-mouthfeel/malt not always well balanced.
What I was thinking is basically making a ESB or Best Bitter recipe, instead substituting English hops with American hops to yield similar IBU's (35-40). I was thinking something like Cascade, Simcoe, Amarillo, or something of the like, or some combination thereof. I would probably use a yeast like S-04 or BRY-97
Thoughts? Anyone tried something like this?
Here's what I like about each of the 2 styles, curious if it could work in one beer!
English Bitter:
-strong malt backbone, caramel lot flavors
-great balance between hops/malt/aroma
-Fruit esters
-some residual sweetness
American IPA (note - I mainly like the ones that have a lot of aromatic hops, over an emphasis on IBU's)
-aromatic hops, lots of hop flavor.
-citrusy, piney, fruity flavors from hops.
What I don't like about (most) American IPA's/Pale Ales:
-excessive hop bitterness dominating the palate.
-malt seems thin or gets lost perhaps from the bitterness of the hops
-mouthfeel/malt not always well balanced.
What I was thinking is basically making a ESB or Best Bitter recipe, instead substituting English hops with American hops to yield similar IBU's (35-40). I was thinking something like Cascade, Simcoe, Amarillo, or something of the like, or some combination thereof. I would probably use a yeast like S-04 or BRY-97
Thoughts? Anyone tried something like this?