Light IPA?

[yewberry]

I'm newish here, so I hope it's okay if I jump right in.

I'm a huge fan of big beers, and of hoppy beers (flavor and aroma hops esp.). My beers usually start in the 1.060 range (husband and I are IPA drinkers, sometimes to the point of exclusivity). But I'm dieting at the moment and would love to cook up a lighter beer with some noticeable malt and lots of hop character. I figure this will involve higher proportions caramelized malts and lower AA hops in large-ish quantities.

I'm not above winging it (story of my life, actually), but I thought someone here might have a tried-and-true light beer recipe that's a genuine hopfest. Thanks in advance!

 

[weirdboy]

What about just making an APA and dry hopping the heck out of it?

 

[Yooper]

You've hit on one of the most difficult things I've been trying to do for years!

I'm not really on a diet at all, but I am pretty small and can't drink 8% IPAs all night long.

My goal has been to make a "session IPA", which is much more difficult than it sounds! You need enough malt backbone to balance the hops, without using more crystal malts as you don't want it cloying sweet either!

I'm still not there, but the best Session IPA I made was 5.5%.

10 lbs Pale Malt
6 oz Biscuit Malt

.5 ounce magnum- 60 minutes

.25 ounce simcoe 20 minutes
.25 ounce amarillo 20 minutes

.25 ounce simcoe 5 minutes
.25 ounce amarillo 5 minutes

Dryhopped with 1 ounce amarillo and .5 ounce simcoe

OG was 1.058
FG was 1.011
ABV is a hair over 6%.

It's still not exactly what I want- I want a 5.5% or less hoppy beer with malt backbone, but it's as close as I came so far.

 

[yewberry]

An APA was a little bigger than I was thinking of going. Maybe something more like a hopped-up mild? That's probably what I'll end up trying first.

 

[yewberry]

Your recipe is similar to my house IPA (mine has a few additional O.G. points and more hops (I live on the West Coast...it's required). Unfortunately that's still a lot bigger than I'd prefer.

Have you ever tried bumping up the caramel malts beyond the recommended thresholds? Breaking Bad taught me what happens to people who use too much crystal.

 

[Yooper]

Your recipe is similar to my house IPA (mine has a few additional O.G. points) and more hops (I live on the West Coast...it's required). Unfortunately that's still a lot bigger than I'd prefer.

Have you ever tried bumping up the caramel malts beyond the recommended thresholds? Breaking Bad taught me what happens to people who use too much crystal.

The only time I use a lot of crystal is in one of my house ambers. I mash low, and use an attenuative yeast strain so it's not too sweet. I'm not much of a fan of crystal in IPAs, overall.

I've been trying to reduce the OG but so far I can't get a great IPA with anything much lower than 1.058. Some milder APAs, but not exactly what I'm looking for. I want all of the great IPA taste without the ABV, and that's been my struggle. I've been at this for about 4 years now, trying to make the Session IPA work.

I did nearly the same recipe as above:
8 lbs Pale Malt (2 Row) US (2.0 SRM) Grain 94.12 %
8.0 oz Aromatic Malt (26.0 SRM) Grain 5.88 %

0.50 oz Magnum [13.40 %] (60 min) Hops 23.3 IBU
0.25 oz Amarillo [9.50 %] (35 min) Hops 6.9 IBU
0.25 oz Simcoe [12.00 %] (30 min) Hops 8.9 IBU
0.18 oz Amarillo [9.50 %] (15 min) Hops 2.9 IBU
0.18 oz Simcoe [12.20 %] (10 min) Hops 3.0 IBU
0.18 oz Simcoe [12.20 %] (5 min) Hops 1.6 IBU
0.18 oz Amarillo [9.50 %] (5 min) Hops 1.2 IBU
1.00 oz Amarillo [9.50 %] (Dry Hop 7 days) Hops -
0.50 oz Simcoe [12.00 %] (Dry Hop 7 days) Hops -

and I had an OG of 1.043. It was 4%. It was ok, but not really what I wanted. It was a bit thinner (even mashing at 155) and just not well balanced.

 

[coypoo]

I made a 4% black "ipa" that was pretty decent. I used a fair amount of flaked barley, some crystal, and a bit of Carafa III for color. Hop additions were 60 min, 0, and dry hop (think Stone Sublimely). The malt backbone is good, its very drinkable, and when it was < 6 weeks old it was very hoppy. Next time I will up the 60 min addition a bit and then add a small 20-30min (or FWH) to make the bitterness a little longer lasting/smoother. Right now there is a small bitter bite, then nothing but flavor/aroma, not a good transition flavor wise from the 60 min additon to the 0/DH additions.

.....and, its only 175 calories/pint

 

[yewberry]

The only time I use a lot of crystal is in one of my house ambers. I mash low, and use an attenuative yeast strain so it's not too sweet. I'm not much of a fan of crystal in IPAs, overall.

I really should have included the prefix "pseudo" in there somewhere. I'm not trying to create anything very similar to an IPA, so the reference was more about the hopping rate than creating any kind of equivalent brew. I'm just hoping for something with enough hop kapow to at least remind me of a Left Coast-style IPA, and enough malt presence to support it.

I would probably tweak your recipe with a healthy dose of Gambrinus honey, a bit of light crystal, and use a less attenuative yeast. I'd keep the mash temps about the same (maybe a little higher). I'd end up with more residual carbs (so slightly higher calories), but hopefully something malty/rich enough to support the hops. I'd probably go a little crazier with the finish hops, too. Big additions at flame-out are my thing.

 

[weirdboy]

Yooper have you thought about using a smaller grain bill but mashing higher and not attenuating as much? By higher I mean like 157-158F.

This is just my thinking, but I'd think you wouldn't really have a cloying sweetness there since you could easily still end up in something like the 1.010-1.014 range. I would probably add a bit more carafoam/carapils percentage wise than I would for a bigger grain bill, too.


This has got me thinking about designing a recipe for this purpose. I might have to give it a shot on my next round of brewing coming up.

 

[yewberry]

I made a 4% black "ipa" that was pretty decent.

<snipped>

.....and, its only 175 calories/pint

I assume that's ABW, not ABV? Otherwise I think your calorie count is a little high.

 

[Yooper]

I really should have included the prefix "pseudo" in there somewhere. I'm not trying to create anything very similar to an IPA, so the reference was more about the hopping rate than creating any kind of equivalent brew. I'm just hoping for something with enough hop kapow to at least remind me of a Left Coast-style IPA, and enough malt presence to support it.

I would probably tweak your recipe with a healthy dose of Gambrinus honey, a bit of light crystal, and use a less attenuative yeast. I'd keep the mash temps about the same (maybe a little higher). I'd end up with more residual carbs (so slightly higher calories), but hopefully something malty/rich enough to support the hops. I'd probably go a little crazier with the finish hops, too. Big additions at flame-out are my thing.

Hmmmm, interesting. The only beers I really hop up are IPAs, APAs and ambers. I have a hopped up amber that I love that has nearly 19% crystal, and 18% Munich malt. It starts at 1.053 and finishes at 1.010-1.008, for 5.5% ABV and 234 calories per pint. If I lowered the OG of that, but kept the proportions the same, kept the IBUs the same, and the late hopping, maybe that would be more inline with what you're talking about.

 

[shanecb]

Our Pale Ale recipe at the moment practically touches an IPA as far as hop flavor and aroma goes. It would just need a bumping up of some bitterness to get into IPA territory (though it's almost there). I think it clocks in at about 5.5% ABV. I can post the recipe up when I get home if anyone is interested.

 

[coypoo]

I assume that's ABW, not ABV? Otherwise I think your calorie count is a little high.

It's correct (according to BeerSmith), 1040 to 1010

 

[yewberry]

It's correct (according to BeerSmith), 1040 to 1010

I was reading 275 instead of 175. Pardon my duh.

 

[yewberry]

Hmmmm, interesting. The only beers I really hop up are IPAs, APAs and ambers. I have a hopped up amber that I love that has nearly 19% crystal, and 18% Munich malt. It starts at 1.053 and finishes at 1.010-1.008, for 5.5% ABV and 234 calories per pint. If I lowered the OG of that, but kept the proportions the same, kept the IBUs the same, and the late hopping, maybe that would be more inline with what you're talking about.

Your guess is as good as mine (and maybe better). Thanks for helping with the brainstorming.

 

[yewberry]

Our Pale Ale recipe at the moment practically touches an IPA as far as hop flavor and aroma goes. It would just need a bumping up of some bitterness to get into IPA territory (though it's almost there). I think it clocks in at about 5.5% ABV. I can post the recipe up when I get home if anyone is interested.

I'd love to see it, thanks.

 

[MBasile]

I just brewed the 21st Ammendment's Bitter American session IPA with an OG of 1.047

Recipe here

 

[shanecb]

I'd love to see it, thanks.

Sure thing. FYI, it seems to finish every time at 1.010

Recipe Specifications
--------------------------
Batch Size: 5.00 gal
Boil Size: 6.41 gal
Estimated OG: 1.052 SG
Estimated Color: 11.4 SRM
Estimated IBU: 45.5 IBU
Brewhouse Efficiency: 70.00 %
Boil Time: 60 Minutes

Ingredients:
------------
Amount Item Type % or IBU
5 lbs Pale 2-Row (Briess) (1.8 SRM) Grain 50.00 %
4 lbs Munich I (Weyermann) (7.1 SRM) Grain 40.00 %
1 lbs Caramel Malt - 60L (Briess) (60.0 SRM) Grain 10.00 %
1.00 oz Simcoe [12.40 %] (Dry Hop 7 days) Hops -
1.00 oz Chinook [11.20 %] (Dry Hop 7 days) Hops -
1.00 oz Citra [11.10 %] (10 min) Hops 14.6 IBU
1.00 oz Simcoe [12.40 %] (10 min) Hops 16.3 IBU
1.00 oz Chinook [11.20 %] (10 min) Hops 14.7 IBU
1.00 oz Chinook [11.20 %] (0 min)
1.00 oz Simcoe [12.40 %] (0 min)
1.00 oz Citra [11.10 %] (0 min)
1 Pkgs SafAle (DCL Yeast #S-05) Yeast-Ale


Mash Schedule: Single Infusion, Medium Body, No Mash Out
Total Grain Weight: 10.00 lb
----------------------------
Single Infusion, Medium Body, No Mash Out
Step Time Name Description Step Temp
60 min Mash In Add 3.13 gal of water at 169.6 F 154.0 F

 

[tnbrewer371]

Sure thing. FYI, it seems to finish every time at 1.010

Recipe Specifications
--------------------------
Batch Size: 5.00 gal
Boil Size: 6.41 gal
Estimated OG: 1.052 SG
Estimated Color: 11.4 SRM
Estimated IBU: 45.5 IBU
Brewhouse Efficiency: 70.00 %
Boil Time: 60 Minutes

Ingredients:
------------
Amount Item Type % or IBU
5 lbs Pale 2-Row (Briess) (1.8 SRM) Grain 50.00 %
4 lbs Munich I (Weyermann) (7.1 SRM) Grain 40.00 %
1 lbs Caramel Malt - 60L (Briess) (60.0 SRM) Grain 10.00 %
1.00 oz Simcoe [12.40 %] (Dry Hop 7 days) Hops -
1.00 oz Chinook [11.20 %] (Dry Hop 7 days) Hops -
1.00 oz Citra [11.10 %] (10 min) Hops 14.6 IBU
1.00 oz Simcoe [12.40 %] (10 min) Hops 16.3 IBU
1.00 oz Chinook [11.20 %] (10 min) Hops 14.7 IBU
1.00 oz Chinook [11.20 %] (0 min)
1.00 oz Simcoe [12.40 %] (0 min)
1.00 oz Citra [11.10 %] (0 min)
1 Pkgs SafAle (DCL Yeast #S-05) Yeast-Ale


Mash Schedule: Single Infusion, Medium Body, No Mash Out
Total Grain Weight: 10.00 lb
----------------------------
Single Infusion, Medium Body, No Mash Out
Step Time Name Description Step Temp
60 min Mash In Add 3.13 gal of water at 169.6 F 154.0 F

Is there an error somewhere here I don't see a hop addition before ten minutes????

And I have done this I have an awesome light ipa I designed specifically for my dad who loved my house ipa but didn't needed to be drinking the high alcohol beer I usually produce, suprisiingly enough I feel I got it right the first time around, currently drinking the second batch and its as amazing as the first, suprisingly its so easily reproducable. Pm me if you want the details.

 

[TheMarquis]

I used to brew IPAs exclusively until I came up with this. I like it just as much as my 7% IPAs and it's cheaper, faster to brew and has less alcohol and calories.

6 lbs. extra light pilsen extract
.75 lbs. Crystal 40

Boil time: 15 minutes
Hop schedule:
.75 oz Galaxy (12.8% AA) @15
1 oz Galaxy @10
1 oz Galaxy @5
.75 oz Galaxy @flameout

I use US-05 yeast.

2 weeks primary, no dry hop. I think it comes in a little over 5% ABV and 40 IBUs. The flavor of the Galaxy is amazing.

 

[dunnright00]

Sounds like the Stone/North Park Brewing collaboration, the San Diego Session Ale.

Fully hopped, low ABV session beer. Not sure if anyone has tried to clone it, but I know Kelsey browses this forum and has had some tips...

 

[storunner13]

Since this thread has been revived...

The Mad Fermentationist did a bit on Session beers for the BeerSmith podcast. In it he was drinking a 2% ABV "IPA". It's sort of an interesting take on things. To those of you who are interested (Maybe not in an "IPA" as low as 2%) you can learn some things about maintaining body and flavor without the high alcohol.

 

[tnbrewer371]

ive got this recipe nailed down, comes in right about 3.4% abv and 160 kcal/pint, perfect for me since im always trying to watch what i eat, i actually prefer it over my house ipa now, the trick for figuring it out for me was adding a small percentage of munich malt

 

[yewberry]

the trick for figuring it out for me was adding a small percentage of munich malt

I've been working on my recipe over a few batches now too. I use up to 30% Munich (or a Munich/Vienna blend). I like some malt support for all those hops, even if it ups the calories a bit. My last batch finished at around 4% ABV, which is the perfect session-weight for me.

 

[tnbrewer371]

I've been working on my recipe over a few batches now too. I use up to 30% Munich (or a Munich/Vienna blend). I like some malt support for all those hops, even if it ups the calories a bit. My last batch finished at around 4% ABV, which is the perfect session-weight for me.

What do you mash yours at? I have been doing mine as low as 146 and high as 148 and doing a 90 min mash, also been using up to 40% myself, comes in around 1037 or so and around 3.77% abv, perfect session beer tons of flavor without all the crazy calories associated with drinking a bunch of full bodied ipa's all night, for sure my everday drinker, i make sure i always have at least 5 gallons around!

 

[yewberry]

What do you mash yours at?

Somewhere between the high 140s and low 150s. I'm not always super precise about my mash temps. My setup is pretty crude.

 

[fullybro]

ive got this recipe nailed down, comes in right about 3.4% abv and 160 kcal/pint, perfect for me since im always trying to watch what i eat, i actually prefer it over my house ipa now, the trick for figuring it out for me was adding a small percentage of munich malt

@ tnbrewer: what is the recipe you are referring to?

 

[bobbrews]

How about this nice and clean hoppy, low abv recipe:

1.042 OG / 1.009 FG
4.5 % ABV
41 IBUs

82-88% American 2-row base malt
6% White Wheat
6% Carahell

16 IBUs Centennial pellets @ 60
8 IBUs Centennial pellets @ 10
14 IBUs Centennial & Amarillo pellets @ 5
Warm whirlpool steep for 30 min. with 1.50 oz. Amarillo pellets
Dryhop 8 days with 2.25 oz. Centennial & Amarillo pellets

1056 yeast

...(if you wish you could add 6% of something else in that grain bill if you think it would benefit the recipe such as light munich or vienna perhaps... hence the 82-88%).

 

[Yooper]

How about this nice and clean hoppy, low abv recipe:

1.042 OG / 1.009 FG
4.5 % ABV
41 IBUs

82-88% American 2-row base malt
6% White Wheat
6% Carahell

16 IBUs Centennial pellets @ 60
8 IBUs Centennial pellets @ 10
14 IBUs Centennial & Amarillo pellets @ 5
Warm whirlpool steep for 30 min. with 1.50 oz. Amarillo pellets
Dryhop 8 days with 2.25 oz. Centennial & Amarillo pellets

1056 yeast

Oooooh, that looks really good! I think the combo of centennial and amarillo would be awesome.