I'm in that deathly "over thinking" phase - please help

[Ernie Diamond]

Okay folks, looking to do a simple, clean, drinkable beer for a wedding coming up as a gift to the bride. I am looking to do an amped up APA/IPA. shooting for something drinkable, not overwhelmingly bitter but still aromatic. I don't like cutting and pasting recipes (hate it, actually) so I tend to draw from as many different reputable sources as I can, much like all of you, I'm sure.

E problem is that as i read, i deviate more and more from where i began and questions begin to arise. We have reached a point where my concerns are multifold and I have begun to rapidly circle the drain marked, "over thinking."

Take a look at the below. I'm focusing on late hop additions for this beer with an emphasis on flavor/aroma but am worried that my (bagged pellet) hop volumes at this point are going to push this beer into grassy or vegetal territory.

Tell me I'm nuts, not to over think it and that nothing looks out of the sort (with the exception of a great-looking recipe!).

Recipe for 22 gallons:

40 lb two row
6 lb Munich 20
5 lb carapils
3.75 flaked maize
1.5 cara40

4oz nugget @ 45 (33.2IBU)
3oz centennial @ 15 (8.8IBU)
4oz cascade @ 10 (4.5IBU)
4oz cascade @ 5 (2.5IBU)
3oz chinook @ flameout

Vital stats (according to beer alchemy)
OG 1.069
FG 1.016
IBU 49
SRM 8.1

 

[Jebu1788]

The Chinook at flameout could be a bit forward, but I doubt it will be overpoweringly grassy or anything. I'm more confused about the flaked maize... what is the intent with that?

 

[djonas]

The hopping looks decent enough. My experience with Chinook is mostly big grapefruit aroma, which often tells the mind to expect it on the tastebuds. Vegetal and grassy here would not have entered my mind; is there a reason it did yours? I guess just make sure that your hops are not too old or properly dried if they are homegrown.

I too am curious about the maize. I bet it imparts some sort of flavor and thickens the body. Just remember that the Carapils ups the mouthfeel too, which makes up about 8% of your grist!

 

[djonas]

I forgot to tell you to relax!

 

[Ernie Diamond]

I may lose the maize. I had intended it to lighten the body and give a bolder hop impression. Carapils was intended for better head retention. I'm about 50/50 at this point.

 

[1Mainebrew]

Flaked maize will lighten your body and add sweetness. If you want to lighten the body while not impacting flavor try flaked rice

 

[mtyquinn]

I could take or leave the maize but you look alright. I'd worry less about the recipe and focus on a good clean brew day with good fermentation temperatures. That's what makes a good beer.

 

[ludomonster]

You could use wheat for head retention. You could mash at a lower temperature to get a light body and carbonate on the higher side to make it even lighter. Adjuncts aren't all that common in APA's.

 

[djonas]

I wouldn't mind the maize, it sounds interesting. I don't know about the wedding guests but I love a good drink or eight at a wedding. So I can't imagine with all that food and dancing that I'd be sipping on something heavy all night, so lighter body is good by me!

As for the victory, that stuff is kinda toasty, biscuity, and a bit nutty on my palate, and that is within the interval of a quarter pound to a pound in beers I have made. It should add a nice orange color to your beer, though! You can keep the Carapils, as it has less of a chance to haze your beer like wheat, if you think it wold offset some guests.

Ultimately, as mentioned above, good fermentation practices really will make everything come out alright. And I think that your recipe is interesting and appetizing, sooooo....

 

[Brulosopher]

You could use wheat for head retention. You could mash at a lower temperature to get a light body and carbonate on the higher side to make it even lighter. Adjuncts aren't all that common in APA's.

Amen! Ditch the corn, add some wheat, reduce/remove the CaraPils, call it good! Chinook is nice, but you could stick with the Cascade for a nice subtle beer. Either way, it looks like a good recipe to me.

 

[MrOH]

For a wedding or other gathering where people will be drinking a decent amount, I'd go for a lower alcohol brew, personally. Maybe try to rework this beer into something a bit more sessionable than 1.069 OG. Keep the late hop flavor, just reel in the bitterness and alcohol.