SMaSH IPA Extract Question

[jaysquared2]

What would be the best/generally preferred extract for an IPA? I'll be using Summit hops. I was thinking the Briess Golden Light DME.

 

[shanecb]

If you're really looking to focus in on the hop character, Golden Light will be good. I personally really enjoy IPAs with a pale malt grain bill.

 

[BlueHouseBrewhaus]

Golden light is good and extra light of you want to go even lighter.

 

[jaysquared2]

Ok, so I guess Golden Light it is. Could anyone take a look at this recipe (based off one I found in a book that used Simcoe which I've read Summit is a solid sub for) and see if it should make a good bitter IPA?

2 Gallon Batch

3# Golden Light DME
0.2oz Summit @ first wort, 45, 30, 15, 5, and 0.
US-05 Yeast

My brew log app has it coming in around:

1.066 OG
1.017 FG
6.5% ABV
4 SRM
86 IBU

Just wanna check up some stuff cause the last SMaSH I did was a Citra one and it just didn't have that bite that I wanted (used 1.5 total ounces and even dry hopped with a ounce). I know Citra is better as an aroma hip but I've had some solid Citra only IPAs that had a good bitterness, I probably just needed to use more.

 

[bleme]

What is bitter to me, might not be bitter to you. Do you have an IBU range you are looking for or a commercial beer with similar bitterness?

 

[jaysquared2]

Haha good point. But IBU doesn't always mean everything. I've had 80+ beers that dont have nearly the bitterness of one in the 50s. I guess if I was just trying to pick a similar bitterness range I'd go with something along what Sierra Nevada Torpedo or Due South Category 3 IPA have, though obviously they use different hops.

 

[Calder]

2 Gallon Batch

3# Golden Light DME
0.2oz Summit @ first wort, 45, 30, 15, 5, and 0.
US-05 Yeast

My brew log app has it coming in around:

1.066 OG
1.017 FG
6.5% ABV
4 SRM
86 IBU

I have difficulty believing that will give you 86 IBUs. I have not run it thru my recipe program, so I may be wrong.

Just to ground this recipe; If this were a 5 gallon batch you would be adding the equivalent of 0.5 ozs of summit hops at FWH, 45, 30, 15, 5 and 0. Or 3 ozs for 5 gallons (or 1.2 ozs for 2 gallons).

This is too little hops for an IPA, certainly a hoppy IPA, and the use of hops at 45 and 30 are basically a waste (you don't maximize their potential IBUs and boil too long for any flavor or aroma). I think you need to double or even triple the hops.

I just got a pound of Summit hops (on sale). I've never used them before, but from some initial reading, I'm not sure they will be a good hop for a SMASH. Seems like they do better when paired with another hop.

Any light extract will work for you; Pils, Pale, Light, Extra light, etc. You just want an extract made from 2-row (yes, Pils is made from Pilsner malt which is lighter).

You can't actually produce a 'pure' SMASH using extract. You will be close, but all extract has a mix of grains, even if it is only a small percentage of carapils.

1.017 is a high FG. Extracts finish high. Using about 10% plain table sugar will help lower the FG. IPAs shoud be reasonably dry.

 

[jaysquared2]

Hmm, maybe I need to find a new program cause that's what it's giving me back. And the times/amounts are all straight out of one of the recipe books that comes with those little 1 gallon Brooklyn Brew Shop books Simcoe IPA recipe. Obviously I just subbed the Summit instead so not sure why their recipe would be so badly off then. I still plan to stick to the Summit, though I've read it does pair well with Amarillo. How would you then tweak the times? And I guess I'll double the amount of hops?

 

[Anon111]

Hmm, maybe I need to find a new program cause that's what it's giving me back. And the times/amounts are all straight out of one of the recipe books that comes with those little 1 gallon Brooklyn Brew Shop books Simcoe IPA recipe. Obviously I just subbed the Summit instead so not sure why their recipe would be so badly off then. I still plan to stick to the Summit, though I've read it does pair well with Amarillo. How would you then tweak the times? And I guess I'll double the amount of hops?

What app is that? Been looking for something alike

 

[NSMikeD]

If you want the "biscuit" typical in English IPAs, I recommend Muntons Marris Otter Light Malt Extract

If you go with golden now, follow up with the marris otter on your next batch to see if you notice any difference.

As whole grain brewer I routine switch back and forth between american 2-row and marris otter

as for a SMaSH IPA, keep in mind that IPAs typically include some crystal/caramel malt. Great that you are doing a SMaSH, as I think these experiments help us understand ingredients. Just keep it in mind when you taste your IPA and not compare it with commercial IPAs


Lastly, on hops, bitterness is just a small component of an IPA - American IPAs showcase the flavor and aroma of hops (this is where American IPAs diverge from their English cousins). Bitterness is achieved and the expense of the flavor and aroma. If you are doing a SMaSH, IMO, the real focus shoudl be on the flavor and aroma of the hops you select. Bitterness will come the way of the 60 minute boil. Many IPAs use a high alpha acid hop for the 60 minute addition for convenience and economics while featuring other hops for the latter additions.

 

[jaysquared2]

What app is that? Been looking for something alike

I use BeerSmith on my computer, but that there is Brew Log for iPhone, though apparently it's accuracy is in question so I wouldn't heavily rely on it. BeerSmith has a phone app for like 5-7 bucks I think.

 

[Anon111]

I use BeerSmith on my computer, but that there is Brew Log for iPhone, though apparently it's accuracy is in question so I wouldn't heavily rely on it. BeerSmith has a phone app for like 5-7 bucks I think.

BeerSmith it is then!
*downloading goes*

 

[jaysquared2]

So let's say I was to change this off of just single hop (since I'm hearing Summit isn't always so great by itself, I've heard a lot about sometimes getting an onion like aroma) and I decided to complement with Amarillo or Citra. Would say:

0.5oz Summit @ 60
0.5oz Amarillo @ 15
0.5oz Amarillo @ 5
And then dry hopping with a combo of the two be better?

While I do wanna learn more about the flavor profiles of each, I'd also prefer not to have a terrible beer if you know what I mean. And from what research I've done Summit is best as a bittering hop while Amarillo is more for Aroma.

I plan to hit my local shop Wednesday and brew on Thursday or Friday so any advice would definitely be helpful. This is only my 3rd attempt at an IPA.

 

[Vermeer]

If you like the flavor mostly,. Just change your hops. Stay with the same strain once you pick it. Look for one with a high bitterness and add in 20 minute increments after u bring to boil. Put in one third of your total each time. If you want the hops coming out of your nose then add a fourth edition 10 minutes before flame out.

I don't know if making sense but u are brewing for you and not a judge who will get so happy that u use 4 different hop strains.

I like bitter beer too.

 

[Vermeer]

Ok I forgot. I've used Amarillo and it's nice and mellow. Just ask your shop for something with more bite and they will show you. IPAs are great but u sound like you trend towards the classic Indian Pale in your taste. Go brave on hops. Stick with one strain. Impress yourself and your friends. It will taste great. I will look in to see what u think.

 

[Coathanger]

I used the Breiss golden light many times with some pretty good results (one particular SMaSH with Mosaic turned out great), but recently have started using the Pilsen extract. I like that it's a bit lighter and I find the hops are more forward and noticeable. I also prefer its lighter colour and general appearance.

I haven't used summit yet but have had lots of fun with citra, mosaic and Amarillo doing this kind of beer.

I second the thought above that you should up the hop bill a bit.

 

[jaysquared2]

What about something along these lines? It's a 2 gallon batch.

1 would be if I stuck to only Summit, the other if I brought in Amarillo and decided against just a SMaSH.

 

[Coathanger]

Are you sticking with golden light extract?

My app keeps closing the pics on me for some reason but from what I can tell both look good. I like the idea of doing the SMaSH, especially if you're able to do a second batch shortly thereafter for comparison purposes (either same hop with different hopping schedule or different hop with similar schedule maybe).

However I'm more partial to the second recipe where you seem to have more additions on the late side (15 min, 5 then flameout type thing).

I personally have gotten away for adding any hops at the 60min mark, and my boils don't usually last that long anymore.

 

[jrgtr42]

With the summit alone, I would skip the 40 and 20, add it along with the 0, so a full ounce, and do maybe half at 5 and half at 0. There really isn't much benefit with 40 and 20 minute hops.
I like the other one, 60, 15, 5 and 1, that is like the "traditional" (read: more than a couple years ago) hop additions, with 60 for bittering, 15 for aroma and sub-10 for flavor.
By the way, your name is what my wife and I refer to ourselves at, though it's J-Squared. That's also what I call my homebrewery, J-Squared Brewing. (don't worry, I'm not planning on going pro anytime in the forseeable future...)

 

[jaysquared2]

After reading more up on Summit alone I decided to go with the Amarillo pairing. Pre-fermentation sample was pretty on par with what I was aiming for. it's been fermenting for 5 days now and everything seems to be going good. Hopefully it continues to go well. Really wanted to do single-hop, but I just couldn't convince myself to stick with Summit solo. I'll likely revisit the Citra-only I tried previously to see if I can get that one to come out better (for those who've had it I'm aiming for something along the lines of Due South's Citrafied Pale Ale). Thanks for all the responses.