CBC 10/2010 - 14A English IPA

[James P]

Dale has kindly provided a style for us to use for the next competition as below, however there is of course one small restriction... you have to brew with the hop from Tom Ashton. If you don't have any yet, please get hold of Tom or I and we will get some to you (or a lot, as there is a lot, hence why Dale wanted an IPA, to use a sheitload of hops... and even then there will be a sheitload left....).

The date and venue is yet to be confirmed, let us know of your preferences, otherwise we will organise to suit ourselves! :)

14A. English IPA

Aroma: A moderate to moderately high hop aroma of floral, earthy or fruity
nature is typical, although the intensity of hop character is usually
lower than American versions. A slightly grassy dry-hop aroma is
acceptable, but not required. A moderate caramel-like or toasty malt
presence is common. Low to moderate fruitiness, either from esters or
hops, can be present. Some versions may have a sulfury note, although
this character is not mandatory.

Appearance: Colour ranges from golden amber to light copper, but most are pale to
medium amber with an orange-ish tint. Should be clear, although
unfiltered dry-hopped versions may be a bit hazy. Good head stand with
off-white colour should persist.

Flavor: Hop flavour is medium to high, with a moderate to assertive hop
bitterness. The hop flavour should be similar to the aroma (floral,
earthy, fruity, and/or slightly grassy). Malt flavour should be
medium-low to medium-high, but should be noticeable, pleasant, and
support the hop aspect. The malt should show an English character and
be somewhat bready, biscuit-like, toasty, toffee-like and/or caramelly.
Despite the substantial hop character typical of these beers,
sufficient malt flavour, body and complexity to support the hops will
provide the best balance. Very low levels of diacetyl are acceptable,
and fruitiness from the fermentation or hops adds to the overall
complexity. Finish is medium to dry, and bitterness may linger into the
after taste but should not be harsh. If high sulphate water is used, a
distinctively minerally, dry finish, some sulphur flavour, and a lingering
bitterness are usually present. Some clean alcohol flavour can be noted
in stronger versions. Oak is inappropriate in this style.

Mouthfeel: Smooth, medium-light to medium-bodied mouthfeel without hop-derived
astringency, although moderate to medium-high carbonation can combine to
render an overall dry sensation in the presence of malt sweetness.
Some smooth alcohol warming can and should be sensed in stronger (but
not all) versions.

Overall Impression: A hoppy, moderately strong pale ale that features characteristics
consistent with the use of English malt, hops and yeast. Has less hop
character and a more pronounced malt flavour than American versions.

Comments: A pale ale brewed to an increased gravity and hop rate. Modern versions
of English IPAs generally pale in comparison (pun intended) to their
ancestors. The term “IPA” is loosely applied in commercial English
beers today, and has been (incorrectly) used in beers below 4% ABV.
Generally will have more finish hops and less fruitiness and/or caramel
than English pale ales and bitters. Fresher versions will obviously
have a more significant finishing hop character.

History: Brewed to survive the voyage from England to India. The temperature
extremes and rolling of the seas resulted in a highly attenuated beer
upon arrival. English pale ales were derived from India Pale Ales.

Ingredients: Pale ale malt (well-modified and suitable for single-temperature
infusion mashing); English hops; English yeast that can give a fruity or
sulfury/minerally profile. Refined sugar may be used in some versions.
High sulphate and low carbonate water is essential to achieving a
pleasant hop bitterness in authentic Burton versions, although not all
examples will exhibit the strong sulphate character.

Vital Statistics:	OG: 1.050 – 1.075
IBUs: 40 – 60	FG: 1.010 – 1.018
SRM: 8 – 14	ABV: 5 – 7.5%

Commercial Examples: Meantime India Pale Ale, Freeminer Trafalgar IPA, Fuller's IPA, Ridgeway
Bad Elf, Summit India Pale Ale, Samuel Smith's India Ale, Hampshire
Pride of Romsey IPA, Burton Bridge Empire IPA,Middle Ages ImPailed Ale,
Goose Island IPA, Brooklyn East India Pale Ale

[Nicholas Jones]

Id be keen to jump on this bandwagon, bit of a noob but might as well have a crack :-) how do we go about getting hops? are they flowers or pellets?

[Nick T]

We all have to talk very nicely to Tom..... (they are pellets I think)

[James P]

Yep all pellets and Tom has a sheit load of them....

I'm hoping they are not Mot.... maybe an early Riwaka :)))))))))

[Tony Adams]

Hello Everyone, I have just joined.

Just wondering if the date is set yet? If there is time I would have go brewing the english IPA.

Cheers

Tony

[Tom Ashton]

Hi Tony,

Yea there's still plenty of time to put this brew down, im not sure of the exact date, sometime in oct i think. I'll send ya a message so you can get hold of some hops

[Tom Ashton]

sorry, i meant november

[Nicholas Jones]

Mines Drinking well now. We should set a date before I drink it all... Hows yours going Tom?

[Tom Ashton]

I still havent tried mine properly yet; kegged it over a week ago but ive had a cold (so couldnt taste anything) and ive spent the last week in auckland, so fingers crossed its turned out ok...

[James P]

Dang mine is still fermenting away in the office right next to me.... it is quite distracting while tyring to code! Dry hops go in tomorrow.... I am so late with this one, I thought we were going late October so I may have a partial non-shit beer!

[Ally Mcg]

All

Venue at Date agreed - we're back at Pomeroys on Kilmore St on the 13th of November, starting 2pm.

that should leave just enough time for anyone who hasn't brewed their entry to get it started and in the bottle.

[Nick T]

Sorry everyone, I'm going to have to pull out, the eq has done my brewing in for the time being..

[James P]

Finally getting to post the results from the CBC... Sorry for the delay.

Firstly I'd like to thank a new starter Nick for coming along and getting involved.

AleLover took first with his entry 38/50 (awesome stuff from Dave, and Golden Eagle has some great beers available from the Uni Staff Club on occasion)
Dale H managed second 34/50 (sorry no gold's bro and where's my sample of the Belgian??)
James P (me) took third 31/50

The wooden spoon went to Crabbe with his entry on which he blames the malt. (Is this like me blaming my hammer for being a crap builder? You know I'm only kidding crabbe! :) ) Although technically Tom A should get last, as his entry arrived on the Monday, after the competition....

The CBC is currently looking at our format, as it seems from discussions many of us have had with beginner brewers that they are put off by the experience of some of the group, and their "competitive advantage".

If you want to be involved please let us know.

Cheers
James