I’ve made a lot of NEIPAs that I think are pretty good. I get to Treehouse once a year and regard them as the pinnacle (and places like trillium and Bissell bros.) and the sort of character I’m after. Other Half, too, they’ve got an brewery near my office in DC.
I’ve always used either Conan (gigayeast at first then white labs) or the mix of s04/wb06/t58 from the treehouse yeast thread. I think the mix has given me the best results but I probably use WLP095 the most out of convenience. I get big hop flavor and aroma, but I’ve always been chasing the mouthfeel and appearance of those breweries I mentioned.
Anyway, it’s been about a year since I last brewed as I’ve renovated my basement brewery. I made one 3 weeks ago with 1318. Mashed a bit higher than usual at 158. Finished pretty high, around 1.021. I usuallly finish around 1.014 with other yeasts. It tastes a bit sweeter and heavier than I’d like.
As for mouthfeel, this is clearly better than my past attempts. It’s smooth and soft and full.
As for the appearance, it is exactly what I wanted. At least in the sun. It’s a bit murkier inside, but I think that’s pretty typical. I’ll have to pay attention to the lighting next time I get up to NE.
As for flavor, I’m torn. The hops just don’t pop like they did with my previous brews. I think the flavor is more yeast than hops? It’s a familiar taste that reminds me of commercial NEIPAs at places that don’t quite stack up to treehouse/trillium, at least to my taste.
I may try a hochkurz mash next time to make it a bit more fermentable. Hopefully that won’t detract from the mouthfeel.