Hello, How Do I Know What I Am Brewing?

[Newtybar]

Hi All,

New home brewer here. Just finished my first batch, which was a kit (Plinian Legacy, a Pliney the Elder homage).

My question is, if I start to experiment and brew my own beer...how do I determine what I am making, whether it be an IPA, double IPA, etc?

For example, if I extract brew and use:

Steeping Specialty Grains: Chocolate Malt, Caramel Malt
Fementables: 4lbs of Pilsner Dry Malt Extract, 3 lbs of Rye Liquid Malt Extract, Turbinado Sugar
Hops: 1.5oz Columbus Hops, 1oz Target Hops, 1oz Brewers Gold
Yeast: Belgian Golden Ale Yeast (WLP570)


What kind of beer is this? A Belgian Ale?


I apologize if this is a stupid question, but I can't find the answer.

 

[duboman]

Basically a Belgian ale because you're using a Belgian yeast but I would suggest you read through the BJCP style guide as well as pick up a copy of Brewing Classic Styles and Designing Great Recipes, all good resources for creating recipes


Sent from the Commune

 

[Qhrumphf]

Well, the Belgian yeast lends to a Belgian style, but Belgian brewers are also notorious for altogether eschewing style and doing their own thing. What you've selected doesn't really fit with any established "style" that I'm aware of, but would definitely fit as a "specialty" Belgian ale. I would lean towards calling it a Belgian Brown depending on how much chocolate malt you used. The hops and rye would be out of place (at least, the Columbus), but you're heading into the range of Dubbel, sort of.

 

[mrdail87]

Not a stupid question at all. The lines of makes a beer a particular style can kind of blur in somes areas. For example a hoppy pale ale, could also be called a ipa at a certain point. A strong porter can become a stout, the list goes on.

I would say that recipe would be a Belgian, yes. Study around and read about different beer styles, and they're flavor profiles. Get nerdy and gritty about reading what makes a style unique. BYO magazine usually gives some good insight into different types of beers for free online. Also you can find style guides that beer judges use if you really want to try and nail a style.

Also, when you're thinking about brewing a particular style, look at other people's recipes first. See what's common, and look at the types and quantities of the ingredients used.

Of course, flavor and your own preference is key. Just because certain ingredients are common doesn't mean they're required.

The more you brew and look into ingredients/styles, the easier you'll be able to pick out what kind of beer it will make. Just like if you were given a dinner recipe, you'd be able to determine what kind of dish you were making.

 

[Newtybar]

Thank you all for the great replies.

I can't wait to get started on my second batch. I will probably brew from recipes until I get a handle on things.

 

[KepowOb]

If you're looking at putting together your own recipes, I strongly suggest that you check out Designing Great Beers by Ray Daniels.

 

[drainbamage]

Try looking into a BJCP app or brewing software with style guidelines. You can get a feel for ABV, SRM, and IBU standards for different styles, as well as typical ingredients in each.

Or, don't worry about trying to pigeonhole your brews into style guidelines and do your own thing.

 

[JohnSand]

There is a great article in the current Brew Your Own magazine about experiments. It advocates SMaSH (Single Malt and Single Hop) brews, or Two malt brews for experiments. I have brewed "kitchen sink" brews, adding whatever I had. It didn't work well. Now I either modify proven recipes, or make something simple. If completely experimental, I make a small batch, one to two gallons. Quicker, and less waste if it isn't successful.