Two Grains and Hops to Try in Your Next IPA

One of the most popular homebrew styles, India Pale Ales are easily one of the most popular commercial craft brew styles on the market. Too name some of my favorites- we've got NOLA Hopitoulas brewed locally, Bell's Two Hearted in the Midwest, Bear Republic Racer 5 from the West coast, and Victory HopDevil from the East.

Be brave when brewing an IPA. Most American breweries go their own way on these beers.

Hops-

1. Perle - Don't think you need to just use high alpha hops (though this one is usually around 7%) in an IPA. Find a flavor you like. A lot of breweries out West use Perle as a finish or dry hop for the fresh minty and earthy flavors it gives a beer.

2. Crystal - This hop is a classic in the craft brewing industry, but never seemed to get the same mass appeal from homebrewers. It has a nice spicy character without giving you the massive amounts of citrus notes other "C" hops (Cascade, Centennial, Citra) give. Use at any stage in the boil, and you'll find you get a classic IPA flavor.

Grain-

1. Special B - If you're looking to keep your beer light in color, don't use this grain. It adds a beautiful dark amber color to an IPA, and brings some balance to the hops. Sweet, malty, and built to keep your beer in perspective.

2. Dark Munich - Another great grain to give your IPA some depth. Grainy and chewy, it'll bring your malt bill forward some against the massive amounts of hops your bound to throw in.

All-Grain Recipe - Bite Me Bitter : 1.061/1.015 (5 Gal)

Grain Bill (Assumes 72% Efficiency)

10.5 lbs. - Pale Malt
1 lb - Dark Munich Malt
1 lb - Wheat Malt
0.5 lb - Special B Malt
0.5 lb. - Crystal Malt (40L)

Hop Schedule [49 IBU]

2 oz - Crystal hops [4% AA] (60 min.)
2 oz - Crystal hops [4% AA] (40 min.)
2 oz - Crystal hops [4% AA] (20 min.)
1 oz - Perle hops [7.5% AA] (5 min.)

Yeast

Wyeast Rogue PacMan Yeast

Mash/Sparge/Boil

Mash at 152° for 70 min.

Cheers!

Aaron