Imperial red hop bursting

[parrotpoet]

I'm planning to brew an Imperial Red with a big malt profile - Maris otter, Munich, crystal 120 and a touch of chocolate malt and I'm wondering what hop combo for hop bursting would give me the nicest hop profile and balance for all the malt. I was thinking Simcoe/Centennial/Columbus but I'm wondering if that would be too dank and piney. any combo suggestions out there?

 

[Chadwick]

I'm fond of the Sierra Nevada Bigfoot hop profile. Think Chinook, Centennial, and Cascade. If done right it gives a nice earthy yet smooth hop flavor and aroma. I don't think you can go wrong with Maris Otter in about any configuration. I really like that malt. I'm doing a Red Barleywine now using a good portion of Munich malt mixed with domestic 2-row. I'll let you know how it turns out in the fall. Barleywines take a long long time to mature to their peak and it isn't worth wasting the beer to try it early.