Adjusting hops for % rating

[sneeden]

I am about to brew up a new batch. This time I got a recipe from the internet vs. my local store. I am a little confused with the hops.

The recipe calls from cascade hop(5%) pellets. The store had cascade, but 6.5%. What is the proper way to adjust for this? The percentage rating is.....? Is this the same for all/most hops? The other two hops in this recipe have a larger difference between what is called for and when was available.

 

[JNye]

It refers to the alpha acids, they are responsible for bittering. You should start using brewing software. It will do all the calculations for you and you can adjust and compare in real time with no math. quite nice. You just adjust the % and the software will give you the IBUs. Then you lower the amounts till your IBUs go back to where they are supposed to be. I have used Beersmith and BeertoolsPro. I like BTP better but Beersmith is a little easier to use. There are also some free ones around. I'm sure others will link em.

 

[fretsforlife]

It refers to the alpha acids, they are responsible for bittering. You should start using brewing software. It will do all the calculations for you and you can adjust and compare in real time with no math. quite nice. You just adjust the % and the software will give you the IBUs. Then you lower the amounts till your IBUs go back to where they are supposed to be. I have used Beersmith and BeertoolsPro. I like BTP better but Beersmith is a little easier to use. There are also some free ones around. I'm sure others will link em.

+1! I couldn't imagine brewing without BeerTools Pro (or some type of software). I think it's worth every penny I paid for it. Definitely look into it.

 

[FireDancer]

Software is great and makes it easy. However it can be fun to learn what's behind the software. Here's one place to start reading

"How to Brew" section 1, Chapter 5.4 Hop Measurement

 

[dcp27]

only change your bittering add, leave the late adds the same.

oz of hops * 5% / 6.5 % = oz of hops to use

 

[weirdboy]

only change your bittering add, leave the late adds the same.

oz of hops * 5% / 6.5 % = oz of hops to use

That equation is the key. No need for software.