7% ABV IPA... how many IBUs do you want?

[bovineblitz]

Let's say... fairly standard grain bill with 2-row and some crystal. Should finish at 1.012.

I was thinking about the IPAs I've brewed and I've tried all over from 40-80 IBUs. I was wondering what everyone else thinks.

 

[Hammy71]

I think it was Zurmungy that suggested matching your OG and you IBU. After looking at alot of recipes it doesn't seem that far fetched. Gonna try it on my next "left-overs" IPA. If the OG is 1.075, I'm gonna try 75 IBU and see what happens.

 

[BendBrewer]

Calculated IBUs or Tested IBU's? I calculate at 80+ for IPAs which probably would come in around 60-65. Every system is different and calculators just aren't that accurate.

 

[bovineblitz]

Calculated IBUs or Tested IBU's? I calculate at 80+ for IPAs which probably would come in around 60-65. Every system is different and calculators just aren't that accurate.

I suppose calculated.

I'm just looking for an estimate, more or less.

 

[Scooby_Brew]

I think it was Zurmungy that suggested matching your OG and you IBU. After looking at alot of recipes it doesn't seem that far fetched. Gonna try it on my next "left-overs" IPA. If the OG is 1.075, I'm gonna try 75 IBU and see what happens.

That's exactly what I've been doing for years:
OG: 1.060 = IBU: 60
OG: 1.065 = IBU: 65
OG: 1.070 = IBU: 70 .... etc, etc.

In OP's case, OG~1.066, IBU: 66. Just like in here: https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f69/darth-vader-black-ipa-218904/
That rule of a thumb works of course only for American IPAs, but it's a sure way to get a well balanced beer.

 

[ksbrain]

I agree with the 1:1 IBU:OG ratio. Maybe a bit higher if that's how you roll, but with a FG of 1.012, too many IBU could get out of hand.

Of course this is all based on some sort of IBU formula, which has its limitations. My 66 IBU may be different than your 66 IBU.

 

[mountainbrewdude]

I made an 7% ipa a few weeks ago, recipe from my lhbs owner, it has 107 ibus. This was made to enter a local competition and won, now a regular beer for that particular brewery. It has 9 ounces which 2 were used in dryhopping.

 

[SumnerH]

Ballast Point Sculpin is my favorite IPA. It happens to be 7% ABV, and 70 IBUs.

So, 70 IBUs it is!

 

[metaltim]

and remember dogfish head.
60 min = 6% = 60 ibus
90 min = 9% = 90 ibus

 

[BrewThruYou]

Ruination is 7.7% ABV and 100+ IBUs.

 

[ksbrain]

OK I'm changing my vote. Drinking my 1.070 IPA with 70 IBU, and it is not bitter enough. I am thinking 80-90 would be more right. Though I'm very happy with the hop flavor and aroma!

Actually this is kinda like the 60, in that it's not bitter enough and tastes really hoppish.

 

[beergolf]

http://www.brewsupplies.com/hops-gravity.htm

Try this. I saw this posted by ??? ( sorry can't remember). realy helps me figure our what I ilke. I even look at many craft brew websites and if they have the info there I put it on this chart to see where it falls.

Really helps a lot.

 

[mhenry41h]

I much prefer to look at the IBU/ SH ratio. I'd peronally shoot for an .800 to .850 range for a standard IPA.

One brew at a time...

 

[BrookdaleBrew]

I made an 7% ipa a few weeks ago, recipe from my lhbs owner, it has 107 ibus. This was made to enter a local competition and won, now a regular beer for that particular brewery. It has 9 ounces which 2 were used in dryhopping.

Death by Hops?

And I'm confused by your post. Do you mean you won Olde Hickory's homebrew competition with this recipe or the LHBS owner won the homebrew competition?

 

[Paramecium]

well Pliny is about 8% and if you plug it into Beersmith it's somewhere in the 250 IBU Range I believe. I know that IBU's over 100 get screwy but it really depends on the beer and what hops you are using.