Here's a review of my latest beer:
Look: Deep amber/brown. Looks like it could be a brown ale,
but has a slight reddish hue. Slightly off white head that leaves behind nice
lacing on the glass.
Aroma: TROPICAL!!! Lots of mango and some pineapple on the
nose. This is likely due to excessive use of Simcoe hops.
Taste: Fruit comes through first. Some mild malty
undertones. Finishes with the mango and pineapple and a slight alcohol flavor.
I think it could do with more bittering. Lots of fruit complexity, but since I
was going for something hybrid between an amber and an IPA, I think it isn’t
far enough into the IPA camp.
Feel: Smooth and velvety. Feels like it has some real body
to it. It is a bit on the heavy side and leaves quite a coating on the palate.
Overall it's not bad, but too much in the fruit camp for my
tastes without enough bittering to balance. If I make this one again I will
need to hop the shit out of it during the boil. I already added a lot of hops
and still no bitterness comes through. The IBUs should be at least doubled!
This would probably be a good one to go overboard hopping. The rest of the
flavors would balance it nicely.
Here's the recipe:
Recipe Name: La Mia's Imperial Amber IPA
Recipe Volume: 1 gallon
Yeast: White Labs WLP001 California Ale
| Malts: | Amount | Gravity Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Pale malt extract (DME) | 1.75 lbs. | 77 |
| 2. Crystal 120 | 1.75 oz. | 3 |
| 3. Caramunich | 1.75 oz. | 3 |
Calculated Original Gravity 1.084
Caclulated Boil Gravity 1.060
Measured Original Gravity 1.090
| Hops: | Amount | Boil Time | IBUs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Nugget (13.3%) | 0.2 oz. | 90 | 45 |
| 2. Simcoe (13%) | 0.15 oz. | 30 | 24 |
| 3. Simcoe (13%) | 0.15 oz. | 1 | 24 |
| 4. Nugget (13.3%) | 0.1 oz. | Dry Hop | |
| 5. Simcoe (13%) | 0.2 oz. | Dry Hop |
Calculated IBUs 70
Procedure
- Heat 1 gallon of water in a large pot.
- Heat 3 cups of water to 150-160 F in small pot, add Crystal 120 and Caramunich. Steep for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally (maintaining temperature is not vital). Remove grain bag and wash with water heated in large pot.
- Add 3 more cups of water, bring to boil, turn off heat and stir in 1.75 lbs. DME
- Return to boil and add 0.2 oz. Nugget hops
- Boil 60 minutes, and then add 0.15 oz. Simcoe hops
- Boil 15 minutes, and then add 1/4 tsp. yeast nutrient and 1/4 tsp. Irish moss
- Boil 14 minutes, and then add 0.15 oz. Simcoe hops
- Boil 1 more minute, then take off heat
- Top up to 1 gallon with chilled sterilized water
- Chill wort to 75 F in ice water bath
- Add wort to fermenter
- Aerate for a few mintues
- Pitch 3/4 of 1 vial of yeast
- Heat 1 gallon of water in a large pot.
- Heat 3 cups of water to 150-160 F in small pot, add Crystal 120 and Caramunich. Steep for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally (maintaining temperature is not vital). Remove grain bag and wash with water heated in large pot.
- Add 3 more cups of water, bring to boil, turn off heat and stir in 1.75 lbs. DME
- Return to boil and add 0.2 oz. Nugget hops
- Boil 60 minutes, and then add 0.15 oz. Simcoe hops
- Boil 15 minutes, and then add 1/4 tsp. yeast nutrient and 1/4 tsp. Irish moss
- Boil 14 minutes, and then add 0.15 oz. Simcoe hops
- Boil 1 more minute, then take off heat
- Top up to 1 gallon with chilled sterilized water
- Chill wort to 75 F in ice water bath
- Add wort to fermenter
- Aerate for a few mintues
- Pitch 3/4 of 1 vial of yeast
