West Coast(USA) IPA's

[Nathan]

So I'm sitting here drinking a ballast point big eye IPA and am wandering how do the brewers from the west coast get it so right as far as hops vs malt and still obviously bitter so there must be a lot of early hop additions but its like they manage to tie the early hops in with the late additions, I'm struggling to pick the difference in bittering vs aroma hops?....I seriously think they make far superior IPA's then the rest of the world.

Anyone got a fool proof recipe for one?(sick of paying $12 a bottle for it hahhaha

[Ben Dean]

This makes for interesting reading http://www.mrmalty.com/late_hopping.php

The article is about massive amounts of late hop additions, with one US brewer claiming to get 95% of IBUs from whirlpool hopping!

That article inspired me to brew a hop bomb of an IPA that is in the fermenter at the moment, I'll report back if it turns out any good.

I think there are some NZ brewers making IPAs that are just as amazing as the American ones...they ain't really much cheaper though...

[Nathan]

I was in Seattle earlier this year and can grab a six pack from the 7-11 of really good beer for like $10

[Grant R Baker]

Like Ben pointed out its mostly the late hopping which does hit your pocket a bit when compared to English IPAs.

Checkout Beersmith or Brewtoad for WestCoast IPA recipes.

Zombie Dust clone is always popular.

[Mark Meyburg]

Yeh That is a great beer eh Nathan - as they others said it is about chucking in a shit load of late hops which mounts up but still cheaper than $12 a bottle eh - Still working on a ideal recipe - lately mine are heaps of flavour hops but lacking aroma. Just kegged a double citra Kern River Clone - 8.5% so higher than Ballast point. Cheers Mark

[Nathan]

Id be keen to her how that goes....Or even better try it we are in the same city hint hint

[Mark Meyburg]

Hi Nathan

I am in Oakura 0220532031 - you are welcome to pop by. Tied up this weekend though. Brew comp day was a bit hectic so didn't get a chance to meet everyone - you did well with your beer .

[David R]

My go-to recipe for West Coast IPAs is Green Flash West Coast IPA. IIRC the grainbill is 84% pale, 8% carapils and 8% light crystal. I've had great results mucking around with this, my next brew will be something similar but with a bit of rye and medium crystal. I usually work backwards for the hops, 150-200g at FO, a moderate 10min addition, then get the IBUs up to where I want them with 30 and 60min additions. If you want the big US flavour, you really have to pay the big dollars for the US hops. Can't go wrong with a simple 50/50 blend of Simcoe and Citra, but the options are limitless and there are plenty of recipes for great commercial beers out there to take inspiration from.

And if you think the SoCal IPA's are good here, go try the fresh at the brewery! We visited Stone, Coronado and Russian River (amongst others) on the way to my sisters wedding in Texas last years, and freshness makes a huge difference with big hoppy beers. That said, I'd rate the likes of Epic Armageddon, Panhead Johnny Octane, and Garage Project Los Lobos (amongst others) right up there with anything American I've tried.