OK to add challenger to an APA ?

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daddies-beer-factory

OK to add challenger to an APA ?

Post by daddies-beer-factory » Fri Nov 17, 2017 7:05 pm

Hello Beer Lovers,
I am going to brew my usual American Pale Ale, But to up the IBU a bit I have some challenger that I am going to add.
Here is the recipe (67 L In Boiler)
Malt :
9.3kg Pale Malt
0.33kg Crystal Malt
0.33kg Torrified Wheat
1.5kg cane sugar

Hops :
70 mins - 50 g Magnum
15 mins - 30 g Centinnial
15 mins - 50 g Challenger
10 mins - 20 g Centinnial
10 mins - 50 g Chinook

Yeast :
Us 05 safale

Estimated OG = 1048
IBU = 49
BU/GU ratio = 1.02
Mash Temp = 67

Do I add the challenger/ any other comments ?

Rookie
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Re: OK to add challenger to an APA ?

Post by Rookie » Fri Nov 17, 2017 7:21 pm

It's your beer, feel free to add whatever hops you like.
The only thing I'd change is less sugar.
I'm just here for the beer.

jaroporter
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Re: OK to add challenger to an APA ?

Post by jaroporter » Fri Nov 17, 2017 9:12 pm

no. it's a moral sin.

or what rookie said.. :p

i'd be suprised if you notice it much behind the chinook and centennial with us05 to be honest. maybe just some subtle layering (?!) ..

i love all the deep complex flavours challenger gives. (except when i use it with nottingham yeast and the yeast makes the beer taste like water. go figure.. )
dazzled, doused in gin..

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Barley Water
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Re: OK to add challenger to an APA ?

Post by Barley Water » Mon Nov 20, 2017 7:49 pm

Well, being an American myself I would probably dry hop it or at the very least throw in some knock out hops to try and get more aroma. I don't personally have an issue adding sugars to beer and have done it many times depending on what I am trying to achieve but I bet very few of my countrymen add any sugar at all to an American pale ale. Naturally, because you are a home brewer you can do whatever you damn well feel like so go for it. :D
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Abbey Triple (in bottles), Munich Helles, Best Bitter (TT Landlord clone), English IPA
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Fermenting: Munich Dunkel
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daddies-beer-factory

Re: OK to add challenger to an APA ?

Post by daddies-beer-factory » Thu Nov 23, 2017 9:17 pm

Thanks for the feedback,
I will probably not notice it (good point), I will try to add a bit less sugar (I fancied a bit more abv as my last couple of brews have been just under 4%), I have not got round to dry hopping yet, yes i do crave a bit more punchy hop flavour from the american grapefruit department - but my last beer i overhopped and it was a lesson learnt in balancing the ibu/abv ratio as it was too harsh. I will stick to the recipe and just try and keep everything clean etc.

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orlando
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Re: OK to add challenger to an APA ?

Post by orlando » Fri Nov 24, 2017 10:23 am

As others have said, your beer your call, there's no wrong or right if you like i,t that's good enough. If you do want to up IBU then increase the bittering charge.
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scuppeteer
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Re: OK to add challenger to an APA ?

Post by scuppeteer » Fri Nov 24, 2017 9:41 pm

All personal taste and that, but that's not enough hops for an APA unless you are after an all day style, particularly for 67l. You appear to be missing a last minute addition. Just my penny worth. :wink:
Dave Berry


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