First single hop IPA attempt

[jaysquared2]

I've just recently finished my first cider batch and was decently happy with it and have decided to just jump right in and try a simple single hop IPA using Citra.

I'm going to probably go with the following:

2 Gallon Batch

3lbs Amber Dry Malt Extract (I want a nice amber colored IPA)
0.5lb Crystal 20L
0.25oz Citra @ 60mins
0.25oz Citra @ 20mins
0.25oz Citra @ 10 mins
0.25oz Citra @ Flame Out
Safale S-04 Dry Yeast

According to TastyBrew recipe calculator I'm looking at around the following:

OG = 1.068
FG = 1.018
IBUs = 58
SRM = 13
ABV = 6.7%

I just have 2 questions.

I've read sometime with Ale yeasts that higher gravity beers (usually 1.070+) that they can sometimes have issues and stall. Is 1.068 still considered high? Should I rehydrate the dry yeast or just pitch it straight? Will I need a yeast nutrient? I just don't want to have any stalling issues since the only thing I've really brewed with S-04 was a 1.045 cider.
Secondly, is that hop schedule fine or should I change some things? I've tried to look around at other recipes and match it best I could.

Sorry for the essay lol

 

[jbunton]

I'd throw another oz dry hopped that's just me though. I'm drinking my citra IPA right now and it's delicious

 

[jaysquared2]

I'd throw another oz dry hopped that's just me though. I'm drinking my citra IPA right now and it's delicious

How long would you recommend I dry hop? Would 7 days do it? Or is that too long/too short?

 

[jbunton]

I think my batch I dry hopped for 5 days after fermentation settled and had great tasting results

 

[aprichman]

Cut the crystal and don't use 100% amber. Quadruple the citra at 10 minutes and flameout, another ounce for the dryhop. Use properly hydrated US05, pitch the whole packet for a high gravity ale.

 

[jaysquared2]

I basically worked off of this recipe (using DME insteadof LME and Citra over Cascade) mixed with what I've read from other posts/forums/recipes.
http://www.brewingwithbriess.com/Recipes/beer/display/easy_peasy_ipa

Which would fit your don't use 100% Amber comment. Why US-05 over S-04? I've read good things about both in IPAs.

 

[Redtab78]

I rehydrated my s-05 on a huge double ipa, and it didnt stall 1 bit (7.5 gallons of 1.090 beer, and i used 2 packets) this is the only time i used it, and i was happy that it kicked off and wasmdone fairly quick.

As for you hops, i would ditch the 20 min, and add that .25 to the flameout, or save it and do a dry hop with it if your trying to stay at 1oz, and move the 10 min to a 15 min.

For the DME, i think i would do a 2# amber and 1# wheat....im not an extract brewer but i have been liking wheat in some of my ipas, and the amber dme i have used for some starters in the past have been plenty dark amber colored, so with the crystal 20L steep, i think youll be happy....

Just my 2 cents ☺