Session Pale Ale rec's and feedback

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by MarcatGSB, Mar 5, 2013.

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  1. MarcatGSB

    MarcatGSB Initiate (0) Jan 8, 2011 Michigan

    Greetings!
    All grain. I want to achieve a 4.0% to 4.5% APA with a very mild bittering hop additions, and heavy on the aroma/taste end. Here is what I am looking at, any feedback on hop schedule, malt bill, etc is appreciated.
    10 Gallon batch
    Estimated OG 1.046/FG 1.012
    35-40 IBU
    SRM 6 to 7

    11.25 lbs 2 Row 75%
    2.25 Pilsner 15%
    .75 lbs 20L Crystal 5%
    .75 lbs 60L Crystal 5%

    1.25 oz Perle at 60 min (8.2 AA)*
    1.25 oz Cascade at 10 min (7 AA)
    1.50 oz Cascade at 5 min (7 AA)
    .5 oz Simcoe at FO (13 AA)
    .5 oz Cascade at FO (7 AA)

    Dry hop with Simcoe.
    *Any feelings either way as far as this or a first mash hop style? Was thinking that could provide a more "thru out" bittering.
    Thanks!
     
    #1 MarcatGSB, Mar 5, 2013
  2. OddNotion

    OddNotion Pooh-Bah (1,915) Nov 1, 2009 New Jersey
    Pooh-Bah

    Looks good though I am not sure what .5oz of simcoe in a 10 gallon batch will do (how much will you dry hop with?). I personally would just about double the amount of late hops in it based off of my pale wheat ale recipe which has great hop flavor from 90% late hops/dry hops but that is all personal preference.

    Couple grainbill questions... Why that small amount of Pilsner malt? And I will throw out the classic, that looks like a lot of crystal malt for a hoppy beer comment here.

    Edit: Also, what yeast?

    Edit 2: The crystal comment is more geared toward thinking of what you describe you are looking for, crystal usage is all personal preference IMO.
     
    #2 OddNotion, Mar 5, 2013
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  3. AlCaponeJunior

    AlCaponeJunior Grand Pooh-Bah (3,452) May 21, 2010 Texas
    Society Pooh-Bah

    I also think you need more in the way of late hops.
     
    #3 AlCaponeJunior, Mar 5, 2013
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  4. MarcatGSB

    MarcatGSB Initiate (0) Jan 8, 2011 Michigan

    As far as the .5oz of Simcoe at FO is concerned, I initially had it at one ounce, but wanted to split it up with cascade, which is why I went half and half. Possibly could use more? Like 1 oz of each at FO? The reasoning behind the combo was for more of a varied hop flavor, help balance some of those heavy "dank" simcoe notes.
    The hoppier on aroma the better, so use that to judge.

    As far as the grain bill goes, I thought about maybe more Pilsner, but don't want it above 25% really. Could I possibly bump this up to 25% or even 30%? The 5% specialty on each was to hopefully bring the color up to more of that copperish color, again to play with the mind. I want people to look at it, smell it, and think it's a 7.2 to 8 IPA, yet be sessionably smooth on the palate and alcohol.

    Like you stated, use of certain specialty grains, etc, are opinion and personal preface, so please don't hesitate to give me your suggestions. I appreciate them.
    Edit: California Ale yeast
     
    #4 MarcatGSB, Mar 5, 2013
  5. MMAJYK

    MMAJYK Initiate (0) Jun 26, 2007 Georgia

    I would triple my late hop additions, or more.
     
    #5 MMAJYK, Mar 5, 2013
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  6. OddNotion

    OddNotion Pooh-Bah (1,915) Nov 1, 2009 New Jersey
    Pooh-Bah

    I almost always use multiple varieties of hops as I agree that varied hop flavor really helps the overall beer, I would up all additions and maybe push half of the 10 min addition to FO.

    I was just not sure what you were looking to get out of a pils/2row mix I dont think it would add much to be honest, especially with all the hops. If using a base malt like maris otter then i love cutting the MO with pils to keep the beer a little lighter.

    Specialty malts you could use like 2.5% cara60 and then finish the color adjustment with come carafaIII if you were just going for color. This way the caramel malt doesnt get in the way of the hops but you get the color you are looking for.

    If you use white labs yeast I would like to suggest wlp090 san diego super strain as it drops insanely clear and looks great along with having the flavor characteristics of cali ale yeast.
     
    #6 OddNotion, Mar 5, 2013
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