Been lurking on this thread for a while and been excited to finally brew something like this. So with the Modern style west coast style being in general more "quaffable", the IBUs aren't as aggressive as the previous historical WCIPAs such as Stone's Ruination or Olde Hickory's "Death by Hops", I actually decided to do something more in-line of russian river's modern approach to IPAs. Post #34 where the CBC interviewed vinny was a treasure for me. So I've elected to brew a beer without any "cara" malts, but gave it more of a malt backbone than
@ihavenonickname original recipe but I upped the IBUs compared to the OPs post. So this is CBCs inspired grain bill and since I still love russian rivers IPAs I used a hop profile that combined the likelness of pliney the elder and blind pig I think.
Stats:
OG - 1.064, FG - 1.011 = ~7.0%abv
Yeast: WLP001
Grain Bill: ~77% Epiphany 2 row foundation malt, 14% Pale Ale malt (briess), 4.3% Munich Type II, 4.3% Chit Malt
Calculated SRM = 5.8 - Epiphany's 2 row malt is darker than norm but extremely flavorful compared to standard 2-row like Rahr.
Hops: Boil - Columbus, LUPOMAX cascade, and simcoe; WP - Amarillo, LUPOMAX Cascade, and Simcoe; DH - Simcoe, Citra, Columbus, Amarillo
Calculated IBUs = 78.
I am digging this beer! With the relatively more malty grain bill compared to the OP - it easily supports the higher IBUs without being sweet. Friends who have decent palates all thought this beer had an IBU in the 40-50 range.
So while my attempt at this style strays from the OPs, I think we are actually on the same page about the end-game perception on how drinkable these beers are. No crystal needed and if you want to have a maltier grain bill, feel free to up the IBUs - you wont be dissapointed. This was also the first time using chit malt and I'll say that it DOES help with foam formation, BUT I think my retention could be a bit better. Got this beer in a couple of comps so we will see how it shakes out.
Pictures: no sun so lighting isn't great but this beer looks more golden yellow than the pics show. But given it was 80 degrees today and flowers are blooming, I will take this opportunity to stick it to the northerners and say "glad I aint up there anymore!" lol
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