Advice on tweaking a partial mash APA kit

[Lurkerga]

I recently ordered a American Pale Ale partial mash kit in hopes of possibly adding some additions to up the ABV and IBU's a bit without completely ruining the original recipe. TBH, I only ordered it as the price was right and prefer IPA's to APA's... I have experience and have brewed a few successful home-recipes, but I am still don't trust my judgement on exactly how to do this and would appreciate any advice offered. The kit's ingredients are below and the additions that I was thinking of adding are *'d. I like a good hoppy beer, but not quite as hoppy as a IIPA.

Grains / Malt:
3.15 lb. Gold LME,
4 lb. American 2-row
8 oz. Carapils
8 oz. Caramel 10L
* Considering either adding 2lbs additional 2 row and/or 1lb of corn sugar

Hops:
-1.5 oz Cascade for 60 min boil
-.5 Cascade for 15 min boil
-1 oz Cascade added at flame off
*Considering adding 1 oz Amarillo for 60 minute boil, .5 oz Simcoe at 15 min boil and .5 Simcoe at flame off.

 

[slym2none]

I would add a pound of DME instead of the corn sugar, and does the recipe/kit really use Cascade like that? Seems kind of a waste to use 1.5 ounces for bittering.

I'll let others weigh in on the hop scheduling...

 

[Lurkerga]

Thanks for the DME idea. That never really crossed my mind but make perfect sense. As far as the hops go, I was a bit miffed about the use as well. Tbh, I have never used cascade as the only hop and certainly not as the sole bittering hop. Then again, I haven't made any APA's either so didn't think about 1.5 as excessive. Thx for the advice!

 

[mrdail87]

As far as what hops you want to add, and when, depends on what kind of IPA you want to create.

I've made single-hopped IPAs with both cascade and simcoe that turned out great, and just brewed an amarillo-heavy pale ale. Here are my takes on these hops in terms of flavor:

Cascade: Tastes pretty much just like grapefruit, but less astringent.

Amarillo: Citrusy, specifically organge, and a little bit floral.

Simcoe: Simcoe gives a pretty complex mix of flavors. Mostly fruity and citrusy with some pine notes mixed in. Altogether, I get a very "melony" taste/aroma from it.

If you can describe what you're looking to achieve in terms of bitterness/flavor/aroma it'll be easier to put together a hop schedule you'll like.