I am new to brewing and got a delicious looking recipe from my local brew store for what will be my 2nd batch of homebrew. Problem is I bought my hops from YVH before finding this glorious recipe, as I was extremely excited to buy hops, and now I dont have the right ones for the recipe I want to make (a tropical IPA). The recipe calls for Citra and Galaxy hops. I have Cascade, Warrior, Bravo, Chinook, Mt Hood, and Willamette. What would be the best options for substituting if I want the best Tropical IPA? Caramel/Crystal Malt, DME Golden light, and US-05 used as well if that makes a difference on your answer. I picked up Hibiscus and would like to add that as well if it works even though that wasnt in the recipe. I have spent hours looking up info on hop combinations but realized the wealth of knowledge on this site is going to be much more beneficial to me. Please let me know if I can substitute and what would be best, I need experienced brewer help here! On a separate note, I thought it strange that the recipe did not call for a 60 min hop addition, but 2 oz's at 15 min, 2 oz at 10, 2 oz at 5, 2 oz at 0, and 3 oz dry 3 days. Maybe that is normal but other recipes I have been looking at all have a 60 min addition so just curious about that. Thank you all in advance for your help and insight!
If you're not looking to buy more hops, Cascade and Bravo are your best options for what you have. It definitely won't be the same as using something like Citra/Galaxy, but will still make a fine beer...not really tropical though. Otherwise, get shopping! As to you second question, the more juicy IPA's get most of their flavor and aroma from late additions in the last 15 minutes, flame out or hop stands at lower temps. Some people don't add anything until after flameout for this style. Some still add a small bittering charge @60. It's up to you and your preference.
Skleice is right. You’re not gonna get a tropical IPA with those hops. For a NW IPA, bitter with the Warrior to your target IBU and use the Cascade and Chinook at flameout. If you have a lot of Cascade use just that without the Chinook. I can’t comment on Bravo, never used it.
While Citra and Galaxy are great hops, they would not be my first choice for tropical flavors. If you really want a "tropics" input consider El Dorado, Mosaic, and maybe Ekuanot. If buying more isn't an option probably stick with Cascade/Chinook, and expect predominate citrus flavor (does citrus fruit come from the tropics?, if yes then it'll be tropical). With all those late additions you will be getting lots of bittering, I would caution on over-bittering. If you use software to determine IBU level expect some trail/error for the flameout additions as it's often computed differently (depends on the programmer). You didn't ask, but IMO the 15/10/5/0 additions could be done just as effectively in a 10/0 time frame. Also, many of us here don't pitch the flameout hops until wort is 180'ish, then whirlpool for 15 - 30 minutes. The idea is for the hop oils to be absorbed but not vaporized. BTW, go out of your way to re-seal any leftover hops in a vacuum and store 'em in the freezer.
Just realized when I wrote this I was thinking of Apollo, not Bravo. Anyway, I agree that Cascade and Chinook would be nice. Or just a little bittering plus all Cascade.
Awesome, you have all been really helpful. I will go with the Chinook Cascasde combo since those two seem to be agreed upon, and leave the hibiscus for another time. Thank you for your help, it was gonna be a dice roll for me otherwise!
