Need help determining hop additions...

[Nkliph]

I'm new to creating my own recipes, but getting a handle on it. My question now is how to determine when to add hops during the boil.

Currently, I'm working on a Cal Common. I know the IBU level I want, and can achieve it in different ways using Beersmith. Some examples I've seen add a bulk of the hops at 60 min (remaining), a few at 15, and in some cases a few at flame out. But several others add a portion at 60, then a majority at 15-20 min remaining.

With Beersmith, I can go either way to achieve my IBU level, and I want to understand the difference in adding more at boil.start vs adding more at 15 min left, and how the effects contribute to this recipe. I've even thought about a continuous addition, how would that change the flavor profile?

 

[jekeane]

Generally speaking there is a high AA Bittering hop used at 60m then 20m-0m are other common addition times. Many people for hoppier beers have been moving most of their hop additions to late in the boil 5-0m

 

[Nkliph]

Generally speaking there is a high AA Bittering hop used at 60m then 20m-0m are other common addition times. Many people for hoppier beers have been moving most of their hop additions to late in the boil 5-0m

Thanks. I should add that for this particular Cali Common recipe I'm only using Northern Brewer 6.0% hops, so the only variance is timing of the additions.