How to calculate IBUs

[RiversC174]

I am going to begin hopping my own brews soon and I just wanted to know how you guys calculate the IBUs. I have seen them posted when discussing possible recipes but no explanation as to how to calculate it. Also, how many IBUs are in an average brew (I know it depends on brew type and personal taste preference, just looking for a rough number for someone who loves hops)?

Joe

 

[Walker]

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=7219

 

[cowain]

www.hbd.org/recipator

And as far as the general IBU number, it really does depend on the beer. A lot of hop flavor (especially when multiple hops are properly utilized) can be offset with malt sweetness. For example, I made an American Pale Ale that had IBUs of approx. 40 and most people thought it was great and didn't even notice the bitterness because of the sweet malt presence.

 

[Yuri_Rage]

Cowain's post may be a bit misleading. Hop flavor and hop bitterness are actually quite separate and distinct concepts. Hops added early in the boil will contribute a lot of bitterness (IBU) but little flavor, while those added later in the boil will contribute more flavor than bitterness.

 

[scottchesterhall]

I am going to begin hopping my own brews soon and I just wanted to know how you guys calculate the IBUs. I have seen them posted when discussing possible recipes but no explanation as to how to calculate it. Also, how many IBUs are in an average brew (I know it depends on brew type and personal taste preference, just looking for a rough number for someone who loves hops)?

Joe

if you love hops, you're probably looking for something in the standard IPA range, which is over 40 IBU's...up to over 100 if you're really hop-crazy.

 

[bennychico11]

I like this calc too:
Beer Calculus . homebrew recipe calculator

 

[telemaster]

I prefer www.brewersfriend.com, but it's the only one I've used!

They have a lot of neat calculators for ABV, SRM, & IBU.

I also recommend their Brew Day Sheet for note keeping.

 

[Edcculus]

Any of the recipe programs (beersmith, promash, beertools or internet equivalent) will calculate IBU's. It isn't really a linear equation, plus the fact that I'm not good at math means I just let the program do it for me.

It depends on the beer. Look in the BJCP guidelines. It should tell you the range of IBU's for a specific style of beer. A light lager or Scottish ale could have as little as 5-10IBU's. Barleywines can have 80-100. It really depends on the style and gravity.