Hopacles '12 - Zythos

[ohiobrewtus]

I haven't brewed a version of Hopacles for a couple of years now. Not sure exactly when I'll be doing this one, but should be within the next couple months.


Recipe Specifications
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Batch Size: 7.00 gal
Boil Size: 9.11 gal
Estimated OG: 1.083 SG
Estimated Color: 12.5 SRM
Estimated IBU: 334.9 IBU
Brewhouse Efficiency: 75.00 %
Boil Time: 60 Minutes

Ingredients:
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Amount Item Type % or IBU
17.00 lb Pale Malt (2 Row) US (2.0 SRM) Grain 82.93 %
2.00 lb Caramel/Crystal Malt - 60L (60.0 SRM) Grain 9.76 %
2.00 oz Zythos [10.90 %] (Dry Hop 7 days) Hops -
14.00 oz Zythos [10.90 %] (60 min) Hops 304.7 IBU
2.00 oz Zythos [10.90 %] (15 min) Hops 21.6 IBU
2.00 oz Zythos [10.90 %] (5 min) Hops 8.7 IBU
1.50 lb Sugar, Table (Sucrose) (1.0 SRM) Sugar 7.32 %


Mash Schedule: Single Infusion, Light Body, No Mash Out
Total Grain Weight: 19.00 lb
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Single Infusion, Light Body, No Mash Out
Step Time Name Description Step Temp
75 min Mash In Add 23.75 qt of water at 159.1 F 148.0 F

[PseudoChef]

So what's your reasoning behind all those hops at 60?

[ohiobrewtus]

So what's your reasoning behind all those hops at 60?

Bitterness, plus the hops were free.

This is fairly tame compared to a couple other versions of this that I've done.

[Boerderij_Kabouter]

So you have done this before, and it was good enough to do again? That is a ton a vegital material and way past the taste threshold of hop bitterness isn't it? I am intrigued...

[PseudoChef]

Yeah, I just wouldn't be aiming for bitterness, I guess. I'm one of those that doesn't really see the point, especially with such an aromatic variety as Zythos. Seems like a waste when I think they'd be better utilized in a whirlpool addition or dry-hopping.

If you are really going for bitterness, get something more neutral and don't waste those.

[ohiobrewtus]

So you have done this before, and it was good enough to do again? That is a ton a vegital material and way past the taste threshold of hop bitterness isn't it? I am intrigued...

Salad and I were talking about this last night. I will agree that there is some threshold with bitterness, but there's also a clear difference in beers at 100, 200 and even 300 IBU. I don't know exactly what it is, but I like it.

I brewed an IIPA in this abv and IBU range every year for a few years, and they were glorious, as Flan can attest to

Yeah, I just wouldn't be aiming for bitterness, I guess. I'm one of those that doesn't really see the point, especially with such an aromatic variety as Zythos. Seems like a waste when I think they'd be better utilized in a whirlpool addition or dry-hopping.

If you are really going for bitterness, get something more neutral and don't waste those.

Again, free hops provided by salad for the purpose of creating one of my ridiculous IIPA's. I don't consider it a waste at all. In fact, that's the whole purpose of Hopacles. 4oz in the last 15 and a 2oz dryhop will provide plenty of flavor and aroma.

At least you didn't suggest that I fag up an IIPA by adding honey to it.

[Common]

I have no issue with the bitterness, but I do think it should have a lot more late hop additions, and definitely some dry hopping. It seems like it wouldn't be all that hoppy. Lots of crystal malt and bitterness will overwhelm those 4oz of late additions, I would think. Whatever you do id like to do a swap with my hypernova dipa to compare different techniques. Mine tastes like hop oil from massive late hop and dry hop additions.

[PseudoChef]

4oz in the last 15 and a 2oz dryhop will provide plenty of flavor and aroma.

I do that for a regular IPA - I honestly don't think it's enough considering you're just drowning everything out with bitterness and striving for "over-the-top."

I guess I also look at it as anyone can dump 14 oz of hops in a beer at 60 minutes, but it takes a little more skill and delicate art to get that flavor and aroma.

[ohiobrewtus]

I do that for a regular IPA - I honestly don't think it's enough considering you're just drowning everything out with bitterness and striving for "over-the-top."

I guess I also look at it as anyone can dump 14 oz of hops in a beer at 60 minutes, but it takes a little more skill and delicate art to get that flavor and aroma.

Good points. I'll go back and look at my recipes for previous versions and make adjustments where necessary.

[wildwest450]

I guess I also look at it as anyone can dump 14 oz of hops in a beer at 60 minutes, but it takes a little more skill and delicate art to get that flavor and aroma.

How is dumping a lot of hops in at 60min, take less skill than dumping them in at the end of the boil?