pacebrew
Well-Known Member
Something interesting here... It seems that the IBU math formulas generally use the final Volume when calculating the IBU content. I have a bone to pick here with this.
Shouldnt we be using the post boil content? THink about it. The hops are immersed in the wort while it boils, all the alpha acids leave into the boil. In the boil there is an IBU/Boil.
now, because this is all mixed, the solution coming to the fermenter should maintain this ratio, so you are getting x gallons of wort from the boil kettle. But the IBU formulas are using the final gallon amount, wouldnt this underestimate the bitterness of the beer by instructing us to use less?
especially if you are leaving a gallon in the boil kettle as loss....
Shouldnt we be using the post boil content? THink about it. The hops are immersed in the wort while it boils, all the alpha acids leave into the boil. In the boil there is an IBU/Boil.
now, because this is all mixed, the solution coming to the fermenter should maintain this ratio, so you are getting x gallons of wort from the boil kettle. But the IBU formulas are using the final gallon amount, wouldnt this underestimate the bitterness of the beer by instructing us to use less?
especially if you are leaving a gallon in the boil kettle as loss....