Adding to IPA

[fayderek14]

I know that Rye tends to be popular in IPAs however, I was curious if anything else works in an IPA. For example I have a bunch of spare ingredients such as coriander, cardamom and ginger laying around. How would this stuff work in an IPA?

 

[tre9er]

The ginger might be interesting, but be careful, it can take over a beer. Try adding it in small amounts to a glass of water and let it sit in the fridge, covered, for a day, then taste. Note how much you add (by weight) and to how much volume. That will help you scale it up. Then I'd take a little off of that number.

Coriander can be good in seasonals, wheats, etc. Cardamom in seasonals, etc. I'm sure someone has used them in IPAs, but I haven't heard of it.

 

[benflath]

I've seen those spices in white IPAs (eg. Deschutes Chainbreaker). Haven't seen ginger in a production brewery IPA, but lots of recipes on here with varying degree of success.

 

[tre9er]

True, a white IPA (hoppy wit) would work with those. Essentially find a recipe that uses those spices and then hop it up.

 

[daksin]

I like hot peppers in an IPA. Spice and hops go well together.

 

[jaymclean]

I used a combo of ginger, cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg in a winter IPA I did at the end of last year and it wasn't overpowering at all. If I remember correctly, I used about 6 slices of fresh ginger or so from a nice sized piece of root. I think next winter I will probably up the spices a little since they were barely noticeable, to me at least. As long as you don't overdo it, it should be fine.

 

[TheJasonT]

I've got a recipe for a Oaked Vanilla IPA that I want to try. This is what I'm thinking:

7lbs Rahr 2-Row
7lbs Maris Otter
.5lbs C40
.5lbs Victory
.5lbs Honey Malt

Magnum 1oz 40 IBU 60min
Northern Brewer 1oz 15 IBU 20min
US Goldings 1oz 6 IBU 15min
Northern Brewer 1oz 9IBU 10min

Additions:
Whirlfloc Boil 15min
Vanilla 2ea beans, secondary
Oak 1oz soaked in 6oz bourbon, secondary
Gelatin, keg