Extract IPA

[Nike_Eayrs]

I have made a couple kits so far (1 from Northern Brewer, 1 from my local homebrew store) and they both have a really strong grapefruit flavor. I like the IPA's that I buy comercially, but these seem to be a little over the top. I followed the instructions to a T, and have bottle conditioned for at least three weeks. Any advice?

 

[Yooper]

I have made a couple kits so far (1 from Northern Brewer, 1 from my local homebrew store) and they both have a really strong grapefruit flavor. I like the IPA's that I buy comercially, but these seem to be a little over the top. I followed the instructions to a T, and have bottle conditioned for at least three weeks. Any advice?

There are two things that come to mind for me. One is that maybe the kits you're trying aren't the same type of IPAs that you enjoy commercially. There are so many different "flavors" of IPAs that maybe the kits you bought were the kind with the grapefruit/citrus hops (like cascade) but maybe you've enjoyed the earthy/dank type. If you can tell us a couple of varieties that you have enjoyed in the past, maybe we can give you a few kit or recipe idea that may be more to your liking.

The other thing that I think of is that a young IPA will have a more "in your face" hops flavor and aroma (which is what I like!) and the commercial version you've had are older and not only three weeks in the bottle. Hops aroma and flavor fades greatly with a bit of time. So maybe in three more weeks, the IPAs you've made would be more to your liking.

 

[Nike_Eayrs]

Thanks so much for replying! I was told many good things about this site, and I am relatively new to the hobby. I am a big fan of Ranger IPA, but have not tried many I don't like. The fruitier ones, like Sam Adams latitude 48 IPA don't really appeal to me though. The first kit was one that was put together by my local BYO store, the second one was a Surly Furious clone from Northern Brewer. They are drinkable, but like I stated earlier, are a little more in your face than I am used to. Maybe I'll let em sit for another couple weeks and give em a shot. Thanks again!

 

[stevehardt]

They will tend to mellow out with age

 

[Calder]

Ranger IPA ..... Grapefruit should be right up your street. Give them a few more weeks and see how they turn out.

 

[drives_a_bike]

Yeah, Furious is incredibly fruity and in your face. I would suggest the Sinistral Warrior IPA from Northern Brewer. It's a tasty brew...just give it 3 to 4 weeks in the bottles and it turns out great. Not in your face hoppy and a nice malty backbone.