BeerBorg

A BU/GU ratio of .7 sounds a tad low for an IPA. But since others have offered suggested cut-backs on some of the malts, that might work to your advantage, as it reduces the OG (assuming you don't replace the reductions with extra base malt).

I'd consider first-wort hopping your longest addition, and whirlpool hopping in place of the 7-minute addition, if you're looking for a well-rounded hops experience in this beer. But, as you've said, you'll have other iterations to dial in the recipe and procedure. If you're more comfortable going with a known process for the first attempt, that's totally understandable. The more variables, the harder it is to pinpoint their effect.

I decided I was approaching this all wrong. I don't know enough about the style to make modifications on it, so I looked up a recipe online and will start with that. From there, I can take the base recipe and add or subtract as I see fit. I have until Labor Day 2015 to get this right, so I think I have plenty of time to brew 3 or 4 batches and make enough changes to get the one I want.

I'll definitely continue to refer to this thread, though. The input was valuable and gave me a lot to think about.

That's a good plan Dave. Sometimes it's easier to start from something that's already been built, then modify to your liking.

Yeah, I think I was a little too over-enthused because of the nature of the request, and I made it more complicated than it needs to be. If I start with a proven recipe, I can make modifications over the next year to make it truly original.

FedoraDave wrote:Yeah, I think I was a little too over-enthused because of the nature of the request, and I made it more complicated than it needs to be. If I start with a proven recipe, I can make modifications over the next year to make it truly original.

Plus you can hit the bottle stores for samples in the name of research.

Brewbirds wrote:

FedoraDave wrote:Yeah, I think I was a little too over-enthused because of the nature of the request, and I made it more complicated than it needs to be. If I start with a proven recipe, I can make modifications over the next year to make it truly original.

Plus you can hit the bottle stores for samples in the name of research.

And there's that, yeah.

Okay, just finished cleaning up after brewing this. LBK batch, following the malt bill I found online, but using the hops bill/schedule I outlined above.

Hit their projected OG of 1.060 on the screws, so that's nice to know. Minor tweaks for flavor might be forthcoming, but we'll see. I'm more interested in evaluating the hops influence, and of course, I'll have to consult with my daughter's fiance to get his input.

This will be a pretty good black IPA, that's for sure. It's the customizing and individualizing that's going to be where the challenge (and the fun) lies.

Dave, It sounds like you have plenty of time to get this brew just the way you want it, and in the meantime you will have some good beer to drink. Looks like you are off to a good start and this will be a fun thread to follow your progress.

Yeah, Berry, that's the idea. The wedding is likely to be Labor Day weekend, 2015, so I have a year and a half for refinements. So I could conceivably do three or four test batches, with minor tweaks, between now and when I have to get this nailed down and make The Batch.

And, as you pointed out, in the meantime, I'm going to have some pretty darn good beer to drink. I just hope my future son-in-law is forthcoming with his evaluations. You know, if he wants something different in the malt profile, I really want him to say so, or if I add something, and he prefers the previous batch, I want -- hell, I need him to let me know what he prefers. I have no problem with someone telling me "It's too bitter", or "It's too roasty". I want to brew this to his specs, after all.

Hopefully he will let you know what he likes and doesn't like about what he tries. Some don't understand that even though we put a lot of time and effort into each beer, we love this hobby that we have, we enjoy sharing with others and the challenge to change something in a beer.

Maybe you could send a link to this thread to him and he could be an active part of it. Heck it may inspire him to start brewing.

Jeff, he definitely does not have enough space to brew. But he does appreciate good beer. I just hope he doesn't feel he has to avoid "offending" me if he wants something different, such as if he wants more hops bitterness, or more malt roastiness, or whatever. Or if he's content to let me make the beer I like, and leave it at that.

I understand Dave. I'm sure he feels like he's walking a fine line with being your future son-in law and not wanting to upset you over the beer. I also know that you want honest feed back so you can make a beer that he likes. He makes your daughter happy and you would like to return the favor.

Inkleg wrote:I understand Dave. I'm sure he feels like he's walking a fine line with being your future son-in law and not wanting to upset you over the beer. I also know that you want honest feed back so you can make a beer that he likes. He makes your daughter happy and you would like to return the favor.

Man, that's really insightful! Yes, exactly. This is a gift from me to him, and then to his groomsmen. We, all of us, deserve my best effort.

FedoraDave wrote:We, all of us, deserve my best effort.

There is no doubt that is going to happen and great beer will be enjoyed by all.

Inkleg wrote:

FedoraDave wrote:We, all of us, deserve my best effort.

There is no doubt that is going to happen and great beer will be enjoyed by all.