Semi-traditional IPA.... Any thoughts/ideas?

[Goran]

I've got a mates birthday coming up and was looking to do an IPA for his party. Here's where I have got to so far -

90min boil
23L
OG 1.054
FG 1.012
32IBU
Target abv 5.5%

5.2kg Marris Otter
35g Fuggles AA3.8% 90 mins
15g Aurora AA8.1% 90 mins
15g Styrian Goldings AA5.2% 15 mins
15g Willamette AA6.7% 15 mins
15g Fuggles AA3.8% 0 mins
40g EKG AA6.4% 0 mins

Thinking of using US-05 yeast.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

P.s. Think a bit of crystal might help a bit.

Cheers, 
Goran.

[OldSpeckledBadger]

That's nothing like an IPA.

[chris_reboot]

In what respect OSB?

Do you mean the EBU's are too low, or the hop choices? (or both?)

I think you're inferring that the bitterness is usually higher in an IPA.
go for broke on that by all means, but you'll need a longer maturation time, so cooking it up for a upcoming party may not be advisable.

You could also be referring to the non-UK hops?

[RichardG]

I would say that, strictly speaking, the IBU's are low for an IPA. But it looks like it would make a lovely pale ale. Maybe the hops are a touch over complicated? Just a personal preference of mine that one and I obviously have no idea of Goran's experience with brewing (Lets face it, I've got virtually bugger all myself!). Otherwise, go for it.

You could also be referring to the non-UK hops?

I believe (though do please correct me if I'm wrong) our esteemed OSB has strong views about US hops. Actually, I must admit to a preference for 'traditional' UK hops as well. Damn silly I know, but it's just the way I like to do things at the moment. AG#1 was brewed with a mix if fuggles and goldings, and AG#2 was all goldings. We'll see how they turn out!

[chris_reboot]

you certainly cant beat those classic hops, and they have their place in lots of english ales.

I like to experiment a bit too though, and am not such a traditionalist as OSB.
I like to think of beers as a 'style' rather than a steadfast list of ingredients myself.
hence my 'IPA' was brewed recently with US hops too

[RichardG]

Absolutely, do as you see fit; Damn the torpedoes full steam ahead!

[OldSpeckledBadger]

I believe (though do please correct me if I'm wrong) our esteemed OSB has strong views about US hops.

I have strong views about using American hops in supposedly British beer.

Actually, I must admit to a preference for 'traditional' UK hops as well. Damn silly I know, but it's just the way I like to do things at the moment.

Not silly at all. If we don't value our traditions then they'll go and all that will be left will be Carling Black Label and Budsewage which is what the big foreign companies that now own most of our brewing industry want.

AG#1 was brewed with a mix if fuggles and goldings, and AG#2 was all goldings. We'll see how they turn out!

I think you'll be pleasantly surprised If you want a real treat for the taste buds then brew a mild using just Fuggles - heaven

[chris_reboot]

the GW recipe for Pendle Witches brew uses fuggles only IIRC and its superb!

[RichardG]

I believe (though do please correct me if I'm wrong) our esteemed OSB has strong views about US hops.

I have strong views about using American hops in supposedly British beer.

Ahh, now I see the distinction. Okay, that's fair enough, and to some extent I share you're view; hence the hops for my first brews.

As for the rest; all good points, well made. I've already noted your mild recipe, and I most certainly intend to have ago at it some time. As for my first brew using fuggles and goldings, the initial testing pre-fermentation and at bottling were very encouraging and I'm looking forward to it. Fingers crossed!

[Goran]

I realise the ibus are a bit too low but I've got quite a tight turn around time and want it in good condition.

As for the comments around the nationality of the hops - please see the subject line (semi-traditional). Old Empire IPA (one of the first IPAs I believe) now uses hefty amounts of cascade.

[dave-o]

Old Empire IPA (one of the first IPAs I believe) now uses hefty amounts of cascade.

...And Old Empire gets roundly slated by many members here too.

[Fallen]

Goran

I wouldn't dare call this a semi-traditional IPA for the reasons above but I brewed a seriously hoppy, 6% pale ale with some New Zealand hops 4 weeks ago. It's been in the bottles for ~2 weeks now and tastes fantastic. Serious tropical fruits and a nice bitterness.

23L batch
40 EBUs (low enough to be drinkable in a short time)
US-05

6571g Maris Otter Pale Malt (EBC 4.5)

Fuggle 3.6% (90 mins) 20g
NZ Cascade 5.7% (90 mins) 20g

Motueka 7.2% (10 mins) 50g
NZ Cascade 5.7% (10 mins) 50g
Protafloc, 1 level teaspoon (10 mins)

Motueka 7.2% (80 degrees for 30 minutes) 30g
NZ Cascade 5.7% (80 degrees for 30 minutes) 30g

As I said, this tastes great after ~4 weeks and it should continue to improve. For the next iteration, I'm going to replace the Fuggles with Green Bullet and increase the EBUs to ~60, getting closer to what I view as 'proper IPA' specs (albeit a new world version) . I might also try a bit of Munich and Nottingham instead of US-05. Just a few tweaks then

[196osh]

Up the ibus. Dont let osb bully you. You can make what you like.

Also Richard G. try experimenting a bit before making your mind up.

[coatesg]

Old Empire IPA (one of the first IPAs I believe) now uses hefty amounts of cascade.

...And Old Empire gets roundly slated by many members here too.

And it wasn't one of the first IPAs either (it's not 170-odd years old...)

But actually, I don't think it's too bad on pump - the bottled version leaves much to be desired.

From the recipe FWIW, I'd go easy on the styrians and willamette late in the boil - the aurora and willamette are very strongly flavoured and need considerable time to smooth out IMHO. I would possibly use just the styrians and fuggles myself if you want it to turn round a bit quicker - though you never know unless you experiment.

[RichardG]

Also Richard G. try experimenting a bit before making your mind up.

Don't worry, I will !