Dry hopping options for an IPA

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by rocdoc1, Jul 8, 2021.

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  1. rocdoc1

    rocdoc1 Savant (1,215) Jan 13, 2006 New Mexico

    I brewed an IPA last week, 10 gallons, and now it's time to dry hop in the kegs to have two very different IPA's The beer was brewed with 1.5 oz's of 17 AA Apollo, then 1 oz each of Centennial and Columbus at 15, 10, and 5 minutes, plus 2 ozs of each at flameout for 15 minutes. What I have on hand is Columbus, Centennial, Phoenix, Chinook, and Amarillo. Give me some ombos that will be tasty but very different from each other. Thanks
     
    #1 rocdoc1, Jul 8, 2021
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  2. JackHorzempa

    JackHorzempa Grand Pooh-Bah (3,375) Dec 15, 2005 Pennsylvania
    Society Pooh-Bah

    Corky, my recommendation is dry hop one beer with a combo of Columbus and Phoenix and the other with Chinook and Amarillo.

    On a somewhat related note last year I brewed my version of Pliny the Elder (PtE) which I typically dry hop with a combo of Columbus, Centennial, Simcoe and Amarillo. I screwed up my inventory of hops so that for dry hopping I had no Columbus left and I had to substitute Chinook for Columbus. As it happens this was the best batch of PtE I ever brewed. Because of the Chinook substitution?

    Cheers!
     
    #2 JackHorzempa, Jul 8, 2021
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  3. rocdoc1

    rocdoc1 Savant (1,215) Jan 13, 2006 New Mexico

    Thanks. How much of each? Since most of my beers are British Isles, German or Belgian, I've done a few dryhopped beers but nothing truly notable.
     
    #3 rocdoc1, Jul 9, 2021
  4. JackHorzempa

    JackHorzempa Grand Pooh-Bah (3,375) Dec 15, 2005 Pennsylvania
    Society Pooh-Bah

    Boy, that is a loaded question! :grimacing:

    I have seen BAs post that they dry hop with a metric shit-ton of hops. In contrast I have the opinion that there is very much a point of diminishing returns when it comes to dry hop amounts.

    I suppose I should ask you prior to providing a response: how much hop aroma are you looking for?

    In the absence of conducting a 'kabuki dance' here I will just state that in my opinion that using 4 ounces of aroma hops for dry hopping is plenty. So, if you are looking for 'plenty' of hop aroma use a total of 4 ounces for dry hopping. For the case of Chinook and Amarillo I would suggest 2 ounces of each. Maybe the same for Columbus and Phoenix? I personally have zero experience with Phoenix so...

    Cheers!

    P.S. If looking for a more 'mild' hop aroma use less hops.
     
    #4 JackHorzempa, Jul 9, 2021
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  5. rocdoc1

    rocdoc1 Savant (1,215) Jan 13, 2006 New Mexico

    I'm with you on the diminishing returns. I was think 3 oz, 1.5 of each variety. Also I'm not the only one who will drink these so i have to consider that.
     
    #5 rocdoc1, Jul 9, 2021
  6. JackHorzempa

    JackHorzempa Grand Pooh-Bah (3,375) Dec 15, 2005 Pennsylvania
    Society Pooh-Bah

    That will 'work'.

    My latest IPA features Ekuanot hops and I used 2.5 ounces for dry hopping this batch. I am personally happy with the aroma of this beer.

    For completeness I should add that I also used 1.5 ounces of Ekuanot for the end of boil addition (and 40 minute hop-stand).

    Cheers!
     
    #6 JackHorzempa, Jul 9, 2021
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  7. MrOH

    MrOH Grand Pooh-Bah (3,995) Jul 5, 2010 Virginia
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    Never used Phoenix, but reading the description, it seems like it may be better used in a more traditionally British ale, especially one on the darker side.

    Personally, I'd go with a Columbus/Chinook combo for a dank/spicy/pine/grapefruit rind beer, and Amarillo/Centennial for a more fruit forward grapefruit (zest and red grapefruit juice) with a hint of pine and tropical fruit.
     
    #7 MrOH, Jul 9, 2021
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  8. GormBrewhouse

    GormBrewhouse Pooh-Bah (2,111) Jun 24, 2015 Vermont
    Pooh-Bah

    +1 to MrOH on both beers, and I would add 1 oz os cascade to the Columbus chinook combo. It's just personal preference and I can't explain like MrOH does but I like it.

    Brew on
     
    #8 GormBrewhouse, Jul 12, 2021
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  9. rocdoc1

    rocdoc1 Savant (1,215) Jan 13, 2006 New Mexico

    I went with 1.5 oz's each of Amarillo and Centenial for one keg, 1.5 oz's each of Columbus and Cascade for the other. It's been less than a week so far, but the Columbus/cascade is kicking ass, centennial/Amarillo is kind of bland. I'll see next week how thety are both doing.
     
    #9 rocdoc1, Jul 21, 2021
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