Is this IPA too dark?

[deeve007]

Hey guys!

I've brewed an IPA, almost ready to bottle but wondering if it looks a little darker than expected, and if so why that might be (image below).

The grains:
5kg Pilsen
400g Viking Caramel 400
600g Viking Caramel 100

It has a slighty toasted flavour to it.

I have yet to add the gelatin, but that will just clear it a little not lighten it, correct?

And second question: Hoppiness is a little low (IBU seems fine), I think I added in my whirlpool hops a little early, so am thinking of dry hopping to add a little. Not part of initial recipe, but would it help add a little hopiness without any issues likely?

 

[Immocles]

I’ve seen darker, but have no experience with those particular malts. Personally I think that’s a great beer color. I chose to not dry hop my recent ipa and regret it. It’s just missing that something extra.

 

[Jag75]

Yes I think it's dark for an IPA, unless brewing a black IPA . However if that's what you wanted then that's all that matters. It's your IPA not anyone else's. What is your IBU? Not dry hopping an IPA is like not putting the cherry on top.

 

[deeve007]

I like the colour too, just wasn't expecting it to be so dark. Flavour seems nice apart from missing the hoppiness mentioned...

 

[deeve007]

Yes I think it's dark for an IPA . However if that's what you wanted then that's all that matters. It's your IPA not anyone else's. What is your IBU? Not dry hopping an IPA is like not putting the cherry on top.

But I didn't really aim for this, it's a recipe that I wasn't expecting to be so dark so wondering if it's something I did wrong, or to be expected from those grains?

 

[Jag75]

Think it's due to all of the Carmel. Looks like you have a nice red IPA

 

[jjw5015]

That is a lot of crystal for an IPA. I can't speak for Viking crystal malts, but I know their "2 row" is much darker than other brands, so that might be true for the crystals as well. But if you like a maltier IPA, it's all up to your personal preference. Also all IPAs should be dryhopped

 

[deeve007]

That is a lot of crystal for an IPA. I can't speak for Viking crystal malts, but I know their "2 row" is much darker than other brands, so that might be true for the crystals as well.

So that might be it.

Nothing to do with what I like, this is a pre-packaged recipe so all I expected was an IPA, not something this dark without being aware of why, and if it was something I did wrong.

 

[CascadesBrewer]

The grains:
5kg Pilsen
400g Viking Caramel 400
600g Viking Caramel 100

In units that my brain understands (oz and Lovibond -vs- grams and EBC) that would be:

• 14 oz Caramel 150L
• 21 oz Caramel 40L

Wow...that is a lot of dark Caramel malt for an IPA. In years past I would use 16 oz of Crystal 60L in a 5 gal batch of Pale Ale or IPA and I have moved toward using less Caramel and shifting to more 20L and 40L. Are you sure that is what the base recipe called for? I would not think even a malty English IPA would use that much Caramel. The last time I used Crystal 120L (in a Porter) I felt that it added too much raisin/dark fruit flavors.

 

[deeve007]

Are you sure that is what the base recipe called for?

Came in a kit from a supply store here, but seems it must have been a red IPA rather than a standard IPA from the above comments... all good, fine with it being that so long as it comes from the grains and not from me making some error, so all good.

Thanks for the help everyone!

 

[Cavpilot2000]

Yes.
For an India PALE Ale.
Looks like a hoppy Irish Red, maybe.
ANd don't get me started on Black IPAs - while I don't love the term Cascadian Ale, at least whoever came up with that realized how dumb it is to call something a Black India Pale ale. That's like saying "we have raw beef cooked well-done!" Putting two mutually exclusive terms in one name just ignores the fact that words are supposed to have meanings.

It is a beautiful color for a beer, no doubt, but an India PALE Ale, it is not.
Sorry to burst any bubbles out there with a reality check on the meaning of words.

 

[deeve007]

It confused my expectations, so I'd be all for a "hoppy red ale" being the beer style to make it clearer.

 

[Cavpilot2000]

It confused my expectations, so I'd be all for a "hoppy red ale" being the beer style to make it clearer.

Sounds perfect - exactly what it is (and beautiful to boot - I love that ruby/mahogany hue).

 

[501irishred]

Looks great, and about what should be expected with that grain bill. 20 years ago I’d say it was too dark for the style, but nowadays.....nah..... Hell, anything from clear to opaque is all within the realm of “acceptable”. The “pale” in India Pale Ale is a thing of yesteryears as far as I can see.
As for the “toasted” notes your tasting, chances are they will fade in the final product judging from your malts.

 

[Cavpilot2000]

20 years ago I’d say it was too dark for the style, but nowadays.....nah..... Hell, anything from clear to opaque is all within the realm of “acceptable”. The “pale” in India Pale Ale is a thing of yesteryears as far as I can see.

NOt to be argumentative, but I'll have to disagree with you there.
"Pale" still means pale.
Dark red is not pale.
Black is not pale.
Brown is not pale.
Words mean things. To say that anything on the color spectrum can fall under a "pale" ale is just ... incorrect.

 

[Jag75]

@Cavpilot2000 - you know I never even thought about a Black IPA . Black isnt pale at all lol

 

[501irishred]

Lol. don’t worry about my feelings, I can take it. I fully agree it’s wrong, but unfortunately, not incorrect....... ‘‘tis the time we live”.

 

[Jag75]

Lmao^^^^^^

 

[Cavpilot2000]

View attachment 641938 View attachment 641936 View attachment 641937 View attachment 641935

Lol. don’t worry about my feelings, I can take it. I fully agree it’s wrong, but unfortunately, not incorrect....... ‘‘tis the time we live”.

You make a good point, but just saying something is so, doesn't make it so.
I can call myself an 8-foot giant of a man, but my 5'10", 170 lb stature would disagree.
And I would be incorrect.

But you did make me chuckle, so points for that.

 

[smata67]

What you have there is a red ale with way too much caramel. About 3 times too much. Hopefully you have at least 8 oz of hops to counter the excessive sweetness.

 

[dmtaylor]

http://www.bjcp.org/style/2015/21/21B/specialty-ipa-red-ipa/

 

[Jag75]

http://www.bjcp.org/style/2015/21/21B/specialty-ipa-red-ipa/

That's a good site. I saved it . Thanks man

 

[smata67]

Could be an amber (red) ale if IBUs less than 40. Gonna take alot of hops to get over 40. I bet it is not adequately hopped. Hard to overcome that level of sweetness. Can we get the hop schedule?

 

[Ozarks Mountain Brewery]

nothing wrong with a hoppy red, I love the beers I brew like that

 

[deeve007]

Hop schedule:
40g at start of boil (60 minute boil)
10g 45 minutes
50g whirlpool

I've added 40g in addition to the above recipe additions, after a week in the fermenter. I also bottled a couple of litres so I can compare to how it turns out before & after the dry hopping.

 

[kh54s10]

The IPA part is about the bitterness and the hoppiness. I would not call it a "hoppy red ale" if it is on the scale of an IPA as far as bitterness.

I am also not one who is a stickler for correctness. I have not problem with calling it a Red IPA or Black IPA. But then again pale?????

Any ideas of changing the P in IPA to some word other than pale to fit dark, bitter, hoppy ales? India Pungent Ale doesn't sound right!

 

[brewbama]

Just call it a Red IPA. Looks good!

 

[dmtaylor]

The IPA part is about the bitterness and the hoppiness. I would not call it a "hoppy red ale" if it is on the scale of an IPA as far as bitterness.

I am also not one who is a stickler for correctness. I have not problem with calling it a Red IPA or Black IPA. But then again pale?????

Any ideas of changing the P in IPA to some word other than pale to fit dark, bitter, hoppy ales? India Pungent Ale doesn't sound right!

Not sure what the hell India has to do with anything either for that matter. Americans are idiots. Myself included.

 

[kh54s10]

Not sure what the hell India has to do with anything either for that matter. Americans are idiots. Myself included.

It was a style that started out when India was a colony of England. They used a lot of hops as preservatives so that the beer would last the trip on sailing ships.

 

[dmtaylor]

It was a style that started out when India was a colony of England. They used a lot of hops as preservatives so that the beer would last the trip on sailing ships.

Thanks. This is news to me.