First Double IPA - Looking for Critique

[DerekTC]

I'm going to brew my first Double IPA for the fall. I'm going for a darker red color with earthy hops and a bit of a malty backbone.

How does this look?

Style: Imperial IPA
TYPE: All Grain

Recipe Specifications
--------------------------
Boil Size: 6.46 gal
Post Boil Volume: 5.46 gal
Batch Size (fermenter): 5.00 gal
Bottling Volume: 4.50 gal
Estimated OG: 1.088 SG
Estimated Color: 14.7 SRM
Estimated IBU: 104.5 IBUs
Brewhouse Efficiency: 70.00 %
Est Mash Efficiency: 73.5 %
Boil Time: 60 Minutes

Ingredients:
------------
Amt Name
15 lbs Pale Malt (2 Row) US (2.0 SRM)
2 lbs Munich 20L (Briess) (20.0 SRM)
3.0 oz Caramel/Crystal Malt -120L (120.0 SRM)
3.0 oz Roasted Barley (Briess) (300.0 SRM)
2.00 oz Simcoe [13.00 %] - Boil 60.0 min
1.00 Items Whirlfloc Tablet (Boil 15.0 mins)
1.00 oz Simcoe [13.00 %] - Boil 15.0 min
1.00 oz Chinook [13.00 %] - Boil 5.0 min
1.00 oz Chinook [13.00 %] - Dry Hop 6.0 Days
1.00 oz Simcoe [13.00 %] - Dry Hop 6.0 Days


Thanks in advance!

 

[bobbrews]

I love both of those hops, but they aren't exactly earthy. For that profile, you're better off with Willamette, Northern Brewer, and Ahtanum.

1.088 OG is quite high if you're not making a yeast starter. I don't see a yeast listed here, but regardless, I think you would be better off around 1.070-1.075 OG. You'll have something more drinkable since the alcohol won't be so difficult to overcome. I so don't like the roasted barley here.

I'd probably do this instead:

Mash between 149-152 F

11-12 lbs Pale Malt (2 Row) US
1 lb Wheat
3/4 lb Sugar
3/4 lb Munich 10L
1/4 lb Crystal 40L
[a touch of Briess Midnight Wheat for the color you desire]

0.75 - 1.00 oz Simcoe - Boil 60.0 min
0.75 - 1.00 oz Chinook - Boil 30.0 min (optional)
2.00 oz Simcoe - Boil 15.0 min
1.00 oz Chinook - Boil 5.0 min
1.00 oz Simcoe - Boil 5.0 min
2.00 oz Chinook - Dry Hop 8.0 Days
2.00 oz Simcoe - Dry Hop 8.0 Days

WLP001 yeast starter

 

[DerekTC]

I was thinking the OG was a little high, too. Thanks so much & I'll give your tweaks a shot.

Cheers.

 

[Boy]

I'd give it a FWH hop too and cut the 60 min add a little for less harshness. I like mine a little lighter in color so I just use munich and 20 but that's all opinion.