1st IPA Ibu

[Lowlyric]

I've only brewed malty beers so far but would like to try something a little more hoppier. I tried a Sycamore honeysuckle summer ale and liked it. It definitely has more hops than I normally drink.
Not sure if I should try a less hoppy IPA or a hoppier ale and really don't know the difference between the two. I have a few different types of noble hops.

 

[Bigbre04]

i would start with a nice simple pale ale. grab some C hops and have some fun with it. stay around 35ibus.

C-hops:
Cascade, columbus, chinook, citra, centennial, etc.

grain bill will want to have some crystal in it maybe 5-8srm.

i would add a small amount at 60 mins maybe 7-10 ibus
@15 mins add 7 ibus
@10 add 5
@5 add 5
@0 add 5
@wp185 add 3ibus.

60 - bitterness low flavor
15-10 - some bitterness, mostly flavor, small amount of aroma
10-5 - mostly flavor, more aroma
5-0 - most flavor and aroma
0-wp175 - all aroma and fruity flavor

look up Pale ales and start there. you could also buy some commercial ones like sierra nevada pale ale

 

[Sandy Feet]

You can use a lot of hops as long as you add them very late like in a New Engalnd.
Pale Ales are great to start out with. Single hop ones will give you an idea of what you like and what you don't. For those, I would use new world hops.
For Noble Hops, I might look at an ESB recipe. You get the best of both worlds that way. It is supposed to be a malt/hop balance.

 

[Bigbre04]

could also do an english ipa with old worlds. not a standard recipe at this point but would fit the ingredients that you have on hand!

ESBs are super flexible style wise as well. as Sandy said!


@Lowlyric work up some recipes and we can help ya out with them!

 

[Sandy Feet]

I might have another idea in a month or so when I see how it turns out. I'm going to pick up stuff this weekend for a Belgian Saison. I'm going to use 5.5oz in 5 gallons between Saaz and Kent Golding. With all the late additions, I'm still only going to be at 27 or 28 IBUs.

 

[Bigbre04]

I might have another idea in a month or so when I see how it turns out. I'm going to pick up stuff this weekend for a Belgian Saison. I'm going to use 5.5oz in 5 gallons between Saaz and Kent Golding. With all the late additions, I'm still only going to be at 27 or 28 IBUs.

i would stay with a standard yeast for a first ipa attempt if it was me, but that is a lovely ibu range for a saison. are you using a barn yard saison or something a little more tame?

 

[Sandy Feet]

WLP 565.

 

[Lowlyric]

Thanks guys. I appreciate the great feedback.
I know just enough to know I don't know very much.

 

[Bigbre04]

Thanks guys. I appreciate the great feedback.
I know just enough to know I don't know very much.

man me too...so much me too.

 

[BarbarianBrewer]

I know just enough to know I don't know very much.

That covers about 90% of home brewers!

Sounds like you are just starting out drinking hoppy beers. I would suggest buying a few other hoppy commercial beers to dial in what type and amount of hops you like. Then search for a clone on this site or others, or just ask on the forum.

 

[Dave Y]

Thanks guys. I appreciate the great feedback.
I know just enough to know I don't know very much.

As you’ve seen, these guys & gals will happily make suggestions, corrections and share previous experience.
I’ve been at it since the 20th century, and only recently have I felt like I was starting to “get” the hops additions, matching hop aroma and flavor profile to yeast, and mash bill, etc.

i would start with a nice simple pale ale. grab some C hops and have some fun with it. stay around 35ibus.

C-hops:
Cascade, columbus, chinook, citra, centennial, etc.

grain bill will want to have some crystal in it maybe 5-8srm.

i would add a small amount at 60 mins maybe 7-10 ibus
@15 mins add 7 ibus
@10 add 5
@5 add 5
@0 add 5
@wp185 add 3ibus.

60 - bitterness low flavor
15-10 - some bitterness, mostly flavor, small amount of aroma
10-5 - mostly flavor, more aroma
5-0 - most flavor and aroma
0-wp175 - all aroma and fruity flavor

look up Pale ales and start there. you could also buy some commercial ones like sierra nevada pale ale

This is solid and can help you design what you want the beer to be.
My entry level take would be IBU’s in the low to mid 40’s. You can get old world Pilsner in the 35 IBU range, and they’re good. The Neat thing about IPA’s / pale ales is that you can do some of the hop additions above, one of them or all of them - it’s your choice.

I’d say build your recipe, make it public and ask the folks here for feedback.

 

[The Brew Mentor]

Yep. Keep it simple.
Example
10# 2 row
12 oz Caramel 60
8 oz Carapils (not actually needed)
Follow the hop schedule @Bigbre04 suggested above
Pitch plenty of healthy Cali Ale Yeast and ferment cool 65-68°
Another great hop to use would be Mosaic
Cheers
Brian

 

[Zambi]

I might have another idea in a month or so when I see how it turns out. I'm going to pick up stuff this weekend for a Belgian Saison. I'm going to use 5.5oz in 5 gallons between Saaz and Kent Golding. With all the late additions, I'm still only going to be at 27 or 28 IBUs.

Sounds close to the one I am drinking now.
30 ibu, but no late additions.
(It may be higher as I "no-chill", although I remove the hops)

 

[Donoroto]

Thanks guys. I appreciate the great feedback.
I know just enough to know I don't know very much.

Yeah, welcome to the club…

The line between pale ales and IPAs is blurry. They do overlap. IPAs are the hoppier side.