Verdict on my Columbus IPA so far

[okiepc]

Been 19 days in primary so I took a FG reading & it looks like it is about ready to cold crash. I will take a couple more readings in the next few days to be sure.

The thing is, it is very clear & smells nice, so I had to take a taste & I found out what a hoppy IPA taste like, HOLY COW, that is HOPPY, don't know if my taste buds can handle that much.

Might be with cold crashing and gelatin that some of the hoppy taste will tame down a bit or I will develop a taste for it. What do you think, any input?

 

[JohnSand]

Well, posting the recipe will help with feedback. But hops fade over time, so if it too much, give it time.

 

[RM-MN]

Been 19 days in primary so I took a FG reading & it looks like it is about ready to cold crash. I will take a couple more readings in the next few days to be sure.

The thing is, it is very clear & smells nice, so I had to take a taste & I found out what a hoppy IPA taste like, HOLY COW, that is HOPPY, don't know if my taste buds can handle that much.

Might be with cold crashing and gelatin that some of the hoppy taste will tame down a bit or I will develop a taste for it. What do you think, any input?

People report that the taste for the hop bitterness goes down with repeated exposure so while your first impression is WOW! bitter, with continued sampling you are likely to begin to really like the bitterness of this beer and wish for more.:rockin:

 

[okiepc]

Well, posting the recipe will help with feedback. But hops fade over time, so if it too much, give it time.

Hope this helps.

MoreBeer Columbus IPA
9# ultralight malt extract
1.5# Crystal 15L steeped 30 min.

1oz Columbus @60 min
2oz @ 5 min
2oz @ 1 min


Whirlfloc @ 5 min.

took another FG reading today, still the same, one more and cold crash after adding gelatin. About 5-6 days should do it.

The hop taste did not surprise me today so not as bad as the first taste. lol

 

[JohnSand]

I'm glad. Your recipe looks solid. Base malt, a little crystal, enough bittering and plenty of late hops. And I really like Columbus. I also find that I am unable to determine the final taste of the beer by tasting samples. I think it will be very good. Let us know.

 

[okiepc]

I'm glad. Your recipe looks solid. Base malt, a little crystal, enough bittering and plenty of late hops. And I really like Columbus. I also find that I am unable to determine the final taste of the beer by tasting samples. I think it will be very good. Let us know.

\
Thank You, I will report back when done, about a month.

 

[okiepc]

Well, I finally make a brew I am proud of, this Columbus IPA. All of the problems I have had in the past are gone, the over sweetness is not present. I fermented this for 24 days till my FG readings remained the same 1.015 then cold crashed. After cold crashing 2 days I added gelatin then 3 more days cold crash.

I cheated, after only one week I had to give it a try & I was amazed, there was plenty of carbonation, a little head and a lot of tiny bubbles rising & talk about clear. With the combination of whirlfloc, gelatin & cold crashing this looks like a beer from the store.

Over all I am pleased but I know I can do even better on the next one & I have another Columbus IPA just waiting to be brewed.

Thanks for all the help

 

[Remmy]

Nice. Columbus is one of my favorite hop varieties. I recently made a Maris Otter/Columbus SMaSH which will be my house beer. I love it. Glad yours turned-out good.

I actually just finished a pint of it.

 

[beekeeperman]

I made this same columbus IPA extract kit from morebeer exactly 3 weeks ago today.
Bottled it after 2 weeks. Threw a few in the fridge after 5 days in the bottle and on the 6th day pounded a few down .
Good carbonation, good taste and aroma. plenty of alchyhol too
Although the beer was clear before chilling it had some visual chill haze in the glass . I suspect this will fade with time in fridge.
Overall Columbus hops are very good IMO. Would make this batch again without hesitation.

 

[okiepc]

I made this same columbus IPA extract kit from morebeer exactly 3 weeks ago today.
Bottled it after 2 weeks. Threw a few in the fridge after 5 days in the bottle and on the 6th day pounded a few down .
Good carbonation, good taste and aroma. plenty of alchyhol too
Although the beer was clear before chilling it had some visual chill haze in the glass . I suspect this will fade with time in fridge.
Overall Columbus hops are very good IMO. Would make this batch again without hesitation.

I have another exact kit ready to go, might be tomorrow, but I may use some cascade along with the Columbus & see how it turns out. Mine with just Columbus was a little hoppy, the cascade may be a little less, we will see.

 

[beekeeperman]

This Columbus extract IPA kit is probably one of my favorite kits out of about 12 I've done in almost a year. Gets better with age of course, not as bitter.
Kicks ass too...more bang for the buck.

 

[grassfeeder]

call me crazy but it doesn't seem hoppy enough?? 5oz of total hops in a 5 gallon batch IPA? I use almost double that.

id be curious if you took that same malt bill and used about 9oz of straight citra what you'd think

 

[beekeeperman]

call me crazy but it doesn't seem hoppy enough?? 5oz of total hops in a 5 gallon batch IPA? I use almost double that.

id be curious if you took that same malt bill and used about 9oz of straight citra what you'd think

Depends how hoppy you like it i guess.
This one seemed to hit home for me. A little too hoppy or maybe too bitter for swmbo.

 

[okiepc]

As a follow up, this turned out to be my best brew so far. After three weeks +in the bottle everything came together, amazing. Not to hoppy, not sweet just a good balance, the head was excellent & just a few 750ml bottles will do the job.

Thinking I will do this again this week but use Cascade only and see what that might be like.

Thanks for all the input, this site rocks.:rockin:

 

[JohnSand]

I'm really glad that it worked out. I never get tired of that story.

 

[slimgid]

This kit is the standard on tap at my pop's house. Good all around brew and hard to screw up.