hop profile on large batches

je52rm · Mar 15, 2013

I have a friend that brews on a large scale and he always has issues with hop utilization. He uses insane amounts of hops on his IPA'S and they never finish with nearly as many IBU's in the taste as expected. Is there some reason that on a large scale IBU'S don't perform the same as they would on a small 5 gallon scale?

bazowie · Mar 15, 2013

je52rm said:
I have a friend that brews on a large scale and he always has issues with hop utilization. He uses insane amounts of hops on his IPA'S and they never finish with nearly as many IBU's in the taste as expected. Is there some reason that on a large scale IBU'S don't perform the same as they would on a small 5 gallon scale?

Yes, cant explain the scientific reason. What is large? 1BBL or more?
I have 1BBL and am going to start at 110% on the hop utilization.

je52rm · Mar 15, 2013

bazowie said:
Yes, cant explain the scientific reason. What is large? 1BBL or more?
I have 1BBL and am going to start at 110% on the hop utilization.

3 bbl system. He is at 120%

bazowie · Mar 15, 2013

je52rm said:
3 bbl system. He is at 120%

How is his efficency? He may have to keep jumping it up until he reaches the desired taste.

je52rm · Mar 16, 2013

bazowie said:
How is his efficency? He may have to keep jumping it up until he reaches the desired taste.

Typically 75% efficiency

bazowie · Mar 16, 2013

je52rm said:
Typically 75% efficiency

In the real world he should be fine, but what do I know! Just keep adjusting

pdxal · Mar 17, 2013

Perhaps water chemistry is playing a part. Adjusting the water would be the first thing I would go after to make the hops 'pop' if using the correct amount of hops but not getting the expected sharpness.