Northern Brewer Kama Citra Tweak

[The_Brewing_Archaeologist]

This is my first post, but I have been lurking around for a few months. I just recently started brewing again after a two year hiatus. I started with the Mr. Beer kit and now I am doing 5 gallon extract brewing with the intention of eventually moving up to AG. I have already brewed and bottled the NB Oaked Imperial Stout recipe that I tweaked by adding vanilla and bourbon and it turned out great so my question today is about the Kama Citra kit from Northern Brewer. I have read all the fantastic reviews on this kit and am wondering about any tweaks or changes that people have done. For example, the recipe calls for a 3 oz of cascade hops; 1oz after 40 minutes of boil, 1oz after 50 minutes of boil and 1 oz of dry hop. How would replacing the Cascade Hops with say, Amarillo Hops affect the flavor and IBU? Or instead of full replacement, augmenting the original recipe with the Amarillo hops. I am not looking to boost the IBUs per say, but I want to balance the IBUs with the citrusy/fruity notes from the Citra Hops and potential the Amarillo Hops as well. Maybe adding some orange/lemon/grapefruit zest or something? Thoughts? Thanks y'all!

 

[FinchSCF]

You'll get more bittering from the amarillo hops, and, from my experience, a bit more citrus pop than the cascade (in my experience). From brewing a session ale before, I will suggest to watch the bittering a bit, it's a bit more important to have the aroma stick out than the bittering at a lower abv, and carbonate on the lower end to really give the aroma hopping a chance to shine through.

 

[The_Brewing_Archaeologist]

I think I will stick with the cascade in the recipe. I picked up some amarillo hops from my LHBS and they are burning a hole in my pocket so to speak . I'll toss them in the freezer and save them for another brew. I think I will use some grapefruit peel zest at dry hopping time to add just a little extra kick and make it feel more like "my own" brew.