In a couple of days I'm going to brew an IPA. Right now the recipe looks like this: American 2 Row 92% Crisp Amber 5% Weyermann Caramunich II 3% First Gold hops (8.6% AA) 1.5 oz FWH (w/ 90 min boil) 0.5 oz 15 min 0.5 oz 10 min 1.0 oz 5 min 2.0 oz 0 min (with 20 min hopstand at 175) 1.0 oz EKG (dry hop) WL002 (English Ale) Target OG = 1.055, Target IBUs = 56 (Tinseth) I am thinking that (nearly) single hopping this beer may leave it a bit one dimensional. So I'm looking for advice/suggestions on what hops might go well with the First Gold (which are similar to EKG). I have on hand the following: Columbus, Citra, Cascade, Simcoe, Centennial, Chinook, Glacier, Magnum, Belma, NB, Hersbruker, Tettnanger, Cz. Saaz. Would you substitute any of these for part of the First Gold? If so, when and how much? Cheers!
All centennial (ala Two Hearted) and just throw them in near the end, don't need 15, 10, 5, 0 additions. My opinion of course, I've been eliminating multiple hop additions lately.
I am drinking a solely Centennial hopped IPA right now (essentially a clone of Bell’s Two Hearted) and I would not use the terminology of “one dimensional” for that beer. I have no experience with First Gold so I have no way of knowing how a solely hopped First Gold IPA would taste like. I can say that I brew a heavily hopped Bitter Ale solely using EKG and I am very happy with that beer. In terms of adding other hops to the mix, I suppose my only comment is that I personally would avoid American aroma hops (i.e., Columbus, Citra, Cascade, Simcoe, Centennial, Chinook) out of concern they would ‘overwhelm’ the First Gold hop flavors/aromas since they are much more potent. Maybe Northern Brewer would complement the First Gold? I don’t know. I am tempted to say you should just brew it the way it is. Your recipe looks like a tasty English style IPA to me. Cheers!
Good points. If anything I'm leaning towards perhaps a bit of Glacier at the end, but I may just leave it as is. Cheers!
