The Brewer: Bret Barker
Brewing a Rye IPA Following Guidelines from Better Brewing Bureau's Recipe
Welcome to the world of homebrewing with me, Bret Barker! I've been crafting refreshing brews since 2009 and can be found in our local club, the Mashing Maineiacs, right here in the vibrant Portland, ME area.
While variety is the spice of life, I generally lean towards brewing sessionable beers – sip-worthy Pale Ales, smooth Session IPAs, rich Dark Milds, tantalizing Belgian Wits, and more. But my heart truly belongs to session beers that are easy to drink while still bursting with flavor.
The Beer: IPA
My beer recipe, finessed over the years, has undergone some tweaks – but hey, who gets it perfect the first time, right? I'm always switching up the hops and yeast from batch to batch, and I don't shy away from scaling the ABV from as low as 4.1% to a warming 6.7% to suit my mood! For this particular batch, I piled on Mosaic and Centennial for those late additions, but another go-to combo of mine is Simcoe and Citra. Don't be afraid to experiment and use what you have at hand – remember, this is YOUR beer!
The Recipe: Rye of the Beholder
THE INGREDIENTS
- 5.4 lbs 2 Row Base Malt
- 4 lbs Vienna Malt
- 2.25 lbs Rye Malt
- 1 lbs Caramel 120
- 1 oz Acidulated Malt
- Boil hops: 1.8 oz Cascade: First Wort Hop
- Boil hops: 1.2 oz Cascade: 5 min
- Boil hops: 0.8 oz Centennial: 5 min
- Boil hops: 0.8 oz Mosaic: 5 min
- Boil hops: 1.2 oz Centennial: Hopstand
- Boil hops: 1.2 oz Mosaic: Hopstand
- Dry hops: 1 oz Cascade: Day 3
- Dry hops: 1.5 oz Centennial (Lupomax): Day 3
- Omega OYL-091 Hornindal Kveik
INSTRUCTIONS
BATCH SIZE: 5 gal
OG: 1.058
FG: 1.011
IBU: 64
ABV: 6.2%
EFFICIENCY: 70%
MASH TEMP: 152 oF
BOIL: 60 min
FERMENTATION: 65oF -75oF 8 days
SYSTEM: Spike Solo
Cheers,
Bret Barker - Better Brewing Bureau
Brewing Tips: Know Your IPAs
What is an IPA?
India Pale Ales (IPAs) are all the rage in the world of craft beer. Noted for their robust and bitter taste, IPAs owe their distinct flavors to the hops used. These hops, typically more potent than those in other beer styles, offer a one-of-a-kind flavor profile. Alcohol content usually ranges from 4-7% ABV, making IPAs a standout choice for beer lovers.
Why are IPAs popular?
The popularity of IPAs lies in their strong hop-forward character. Hop punch drives its bitterness, while citrusy, floral, and herbal notes result in a complex flavor profile. Go ahead and indulge in the hop-laden joy that IPAs offer!
History of IPAs
Originating in the 19th century, IPAs were initially brewed for British troops stationed in India. Strong hops and high alcohol content helped preserve the beer for long journeys at sea, and India Pale Ale soon found favor back in England before spreading worldwide as a beloved beer style.
Today, IPAs come in myriad subcategories, such as West Coast, East Coast, Session IPAs, Belgian, and Fruited IPAs, as brewers work to create unique, interesting brews.
Drinking an IPA
To fully appreciate an IPA, maintain proper temperature, pour gently, and savor the flavors. Serve IPAs slightly colder than most beers to highlight the hop flavors and aromas for a more enjoyable taste experience. When pouring, do it slowly and in a circular motion to create a beautiful head, ensuring a lovely lacing on the glass. Take a moment while tasting, noticing the hop flavors, aromas, and other distinct characteristics. Observe how bitterness evolves as the beer warms.
Pairing an IPA
Paring IPAs with bold dishes is essential as their beer's bitterness can easily overshadow subtle flavors. Spicy foods like Mexican or Indian fare pair nicely with IPAs, for the beer's hop bitterness cuts through the spiciness, while malt sweetness balances out the heat. Rich, savory foods like a juicy steak or hearty stew also complement IPAs. For a milder combination, opt for a dessert or seafood dish with a Session IPA or Lactose IPA. For a sweeter pairing, consider a fruit-forward IPA like a Fruited or Sour IPA, which often contains fruit purees or juices, ideal for desserts and sweet dishes.
ABV and Types of IPA
India Pale Ales typically feature an ABV range of 5-7%, but this can vary depending on the style. West Coast IPAs have higher alcohol content, ranging from 6-7.5%, while Session IPAs have a lower range of 4-5.5%. Double IPAs, also known as Imperial IPAs, are the strongest with an ABV of 7-10%. It is important to remember that higher ABV levels result in more intense and bitter flavors due to the increased hops and malt used in the brewing process. Additionally, different subcategories of IPA offer distinct flavor profiles, such as West Coast, East Coast, Session, British, Lactose, Oat, Belgian, Fruited, Sour, Brett, and Double IPAs.
Now that you're armed with the IPA essentials, happy brewing, fellow beer enthusiasts – together, let's conquer the world, one hoppy pint at a time! 🍻🍺👍
Sources
- Brew Central (n.d.) What Is an IPA? [Online]. Available at: https://www.brewcentral.com/what-is-ipa/
- Craft Beer (n.d.) What is an IPA? [Online]. Available at: https://crafteamers.com/what-is-ipa/
- Denizen (n.d.) Types of IPA [Online]. Available at: https://www.denizencraftbrewco.com/blog/types-of-ipa
- Craft Beer & Brewing (2020) Understanding IPAs [Online]. Available at: https://www.craftbeer.com/beer-news/tips-understanding-ipa-craftbeer
- Better Brewing Bureau (n.d.) Spike Summarizes: All Things IPA [Online]. Available at: https://www.betterbrewingbureau.com/spikes-summarizes-all-things-ipa/
In the realm of technological innovation, Bret Barker might as well be brewing smart-home devices as he meticulously tweaks his IPA recipe. Just as he experiments with a variety of hops and yeast strains to create his unique beer, there are countless gadgets and devices to choose from when setting up a smart home.
As technology continues to evolve, it's essential to keep up with the latest advancements in both craft beer and smart-home devices, much like brewing enthusiasts follow trends in hops and yeast combinations. Whether it's the latest gizmo for brewing beer or a new smart speaker to manage your smart-home devices, there's always something new on the horizon.
