Please critique my pale ale recipe

[timcook]

8# Maris Otter
3# Vienna Malt
8 oz. Wheat Malt
.50 oz. Northern Brewer (60)
.50 oz. Amarillo/Simcoe (20)
1 oz. Amarillo/Simcoe (10)
.5 oz. Amarillo/Simcoe (5)
.5 oz. Amarillo/Simcoe (0)
1 oz. Amarillo/Simcoe dry hop

Safale 05

Mash at 153*
Est. OG 1.053 Est. FG 1.010
60 minute boil

I am planning to blend 3.5 ounces of Amarillo & Simcoe together. I'll add the blended mixture as noted above.

I may substitute Magnum for the Northern Brewer. Not sure I want the piney flavor in this beer. What are people's thoughts about the MO/Vienna percentages? Should I adjust one way or another? More Vienna, less MO, etc?

 

[GPP33]

I've heard that 2row+Vienna is similar to MO. Vienna and MO will both add a biscuity flavor. I'd probably leave the Vienna out as MO gives enough flavor for me, if you want to amp it up a bit though leave it in. Everything else looks yummy.

 

[brew703]

8# Maris Otter
3# Vienna Malt
8 oz. Wheat Malt
.50 oz. Northern Brewer (60)
.50 oz. Amarillo/Simcoe (20)
1 oz. Amarillo/Simcoe (10)
.5 oz. Amarillo/Simcoe (5)
.5 oz. Amarillo/Simcoe (0)
1 oz. Amarillo/Simcoe dry hop

Safale 05

Mash at 153*
Est. OG 1.053 Est. FG 1.010
60 minute boil

I am planning to blend 3.5 ounces of Amarillo & Simcoe together. I'll add the blended mixture as noted above.

I may substitute Magnum for the Northern Brewer. Not sure I want the piney flavor in this beer. What are people's thoughts about the MO/Vienna percentages? Should I adjust one way or another? More Vienna, less MO, etc?

Are your hop additions per hop or total for both? I don't think your additions will be enough especially if you are brewing a 5 gal batch. I brewed a PA yesterday and used a total of 5.5 oz for a 3 gallon batch (2 oz DH).

The PA I brewed used MO and Vienna (66% MO & 10% Vienna). I also used Warrior for bittering.

 

[kingmatt]

Are your hop additions per hop or total for both? I don't think your additions will be enough especially if you are brewing a 5 gal batch. I brewed a PA yesterday and used a total of 5.5 oz for a 3 gallon batch (2 oz DH).

The PA I brewed used MO and Vienna (66% MO & 10% Vienna). I also used Warrior for bittering.

That depends on what kind of pale you want. Do you want a balanced hop forward beer or essentially a session IPA?

I love huge hoppy IPAs but I also appreciate a bright hop forward pale that allows the malt to join the taste party.

One of my favorite pale recipes only uses 2 oz hops in the kettle and 2 in the dry hop for a 5 gallon batch. I find the hop aroma is pronounced and the flavor is bright but the beer is very balanced in flavor and bitterness.

OP should be fine with the total amount of hops (especially using that blend) my suggestion would be to ditch the 10 minute addition, combine the 5 and 0 addition so you have 1 oz at flameout and add the extra oz from removing you 10 min addition to your dry hop. Keep your IBUs around 40.

I would also suggest you sub up to 50 percent of your MO with pilsner malt to add a little grainy sweetness but that is my personal preference for a pale.

 

[kingmatt]

Also, to answer OPs question about the bittering charge, you aren't going to impart much (if any) flavor from your 60 min addition so I would just use a high AA hop to get you the most bang for your buck on IBUs. Magnum is a good choice.

 

[Cavpilot2000]

I would echo Kingmatt's comments.
That's plemty hops unless you want a really hoppy pale ale. Remember, the style is not necessarily a hops bomb (though they have become more so over the last few years). They don't make it anymore, but my absolute favorite pale ale was from Full Sail out of Bend, Oregon. Nice and balanced for any time or occasion.

I add Vienna to just about everything, and I would leave it in personally. Then if you think your beer is too this or not enough that, you can adjust the next batch until you perfect it.

 

[brew703]

Kingmatt is correct however I add all late addition hops, 10 min and after. I don't particularly care for hop bombs and my PA's are usually under 40 IBU's. For me I prefer at least 1.5-2 oz DH (3 gallon) but that's just me. Everyone's tastes are different.
I suggest brew as you noted and make changes next time. I also agree to sub Pilsner for some of the MO.

 

[timcook]

I brewed the APA this morning. Used Magnum for bittering. I appreciate all the feedback & suggestions. Looking for a balanced beer vs. a hop bomb. I like the suggestion about substituting the pilsner for MO. Maybe next time? I'll dry hop with 2 ounces instead of 1.

 

[brandonlovesbeer]

Looks like the recipe to my first IPA. [emoji28]my how times have changed.