Crafting the Perfect Double IPA

The Homebrew Master Plan: January’s Birthday Beer

Introduction

In this article, I will cover the ingredients, equipment, recipe and final evaluation of a homebrew Double IPA (India Pale Ale). This recipe yields a robust and hop-forward Double IPA with a balanced malt profile and a significant ABV, showcasing the complexity and depth of flavours typical of the style.

Each month I will prepare a recipe (check out The Homebrew Master Plan for full details).

The Brewing Process

This is an 8 Litre Recipe on account that I couldn’t fit 10 litres into my brew kettle. Scaling a recipe down is a reasonably straightforward thing to do, I use Brewfather to do all the hard work, but it is broadly as simple as scaling quantities.

Ingredients:

Water Chemistry:

The goal is to create a water profile of a Hoppy IPA.

• 13 Litres Ashbeck water (low mineral content)
• 3.3 g of calcium chloride
• 1.1 g of Epsom salt
• 1.2 g of gypsum

Grains:

• 1.25 kg of pale malt
• 535 g of Pilsner malt
• 535 g of white wheat malt
• 177 g of caramel malt (19 EBC)
• 89 g of caramel malt (118 EBC)
• 45 g of Munich malt

Hops:

• Cascade: 36.5 g (60 minutes)
• Centennial: 8.5 g (30 minutes)
• Galaxy: 2.7 g (30 minutes)
• Columbus: 2.7 g (20 minutes)
• Columbus: 5.5 g (Dry Hops)
• Galaxy: 5.5 g (Dry Hops)
• Centennial: 4.3 g (Dry Hops)

Other:

• Table sugar: 173 g (for boosting ABV)
• Yeast nutrient: 5 g of Go-Ferm
• Yeast: Kveik yeast strain (specifically “Kveik Boss”)
• 8 g of Irish moss (for clarity)
• 10 g of sugar per litre of beer (for bottle conditioning)

End Point and Start Point: Double IPA in the bottle, and the starting ingredients

Recipe:

1. Heat 13 litres of Ashbeck water to a strike temperature of 70°C.
2. Add water chemicals to adjust the mineral content according to desired specifications.
3. Mash in the grains and stir well to prevent clumping. Maintain mash temperature for 60 minutes.
4. Remove the grain bag and begin raising the temperature to 100°C for the boil.
5. Add table sugar between the mash and the boil to boost the ABV.
6. Start the 60-minute boil and add hops according to the specified schedule.
7. Cool the wort to 90°C for a hop stand, then add additional hops and Irish moss.
8. Continue cooling the wort to pitching temperature.
9. Transfer the wort to a fermenter, pitch the yeast, and seal the fermenter.
10. Allow fermentation to proceed at a higher temperature, ideally around 30°C.
11. After fermentation, dry hop the beer with the specified hops.
12. Cold crash the beer in a fridge for a few days to clarify.
13. Transfer the beer to a keg or bottles for carbonation.
    Prime bottles with sugar for bottle conditioning.
    Allow the beer to carbonate and condition for several weeks before drinking.

Evaluation:

I was extremely pleased with the results of this homebrew, but let's break it all down:

Appearance:

As the Double IPA pours into the glass, it presents a deep, rich golden hue that captivates the eye. Its clarity speaks to the careful brewing techniques, with minimal sediment and a brilliant clarity that beckons the drinker to take the first sip.

Aroma:

Upon lifting the glass to the nose, the aroma of hops bursts forth in a symphony of citrus, pine, and floral notes. The Cascade, Centennial, Galaxy, and Columbus hops intertwine harmoniously, creating a bouquet that promises a hop-forward experience.

Flavour:

With the first sip, the palate is greeted by a wave of hop bitterness, balanced by a sturdy malt backbone. The flavours of grapefruit, pine resin, and tropical fruits dance across the tongue, leaving a lingering bitterness that is both assertive and satisfying. Despite its high IBU (International Bitterness Units) of 110, the bitterness is well-balanced, allowing the malt sweetness to shine through.

Mouthfeel:

The mouthfeel is full-bodied, with a moderate carbonation that enhances drinkability. The alcohol content, at 8.8% ABV, provides a warming sensation without overpowering the palate, making it a dangerously delicious and drinkable brew.

Join the Homebrewing Adventure

I’ll document each of my brews on my YouTube channel and share the recipes and lessons learned here on Medium.

The homebrew masterplan is off to a terrific start, next up is the Valentine’s Chocolate and Strawberry Mead.

Crafting the perfect beer requires patience, skill, and lots of cleaning, but it doesn’t require a deep understanding of the brewing process. The basics will get you a long way, and practice will bring improvements. If you’re thinking of jumping in, just do it! With dedication, creativity, and a thirst for knowledge, the possibilities of homebrewing are endless, promising a rewarding and fulfilling journey of exploration and discovery in the world of craft beer.

Wish me luck and raise a glass to homebrewing fun. Whether you’re a seasoned brewer or a curious novice, there’s something for everyone in my master plan for 2024. Wishing you a happy home brewing, cheers, and best of luck on your brewing endeavours!

Rob