The Brewmaster: Bret Barker
Rye IPA Brewing Recipe Guidance from Better Brewing Bureau
In the realm of homebrewing since 2009, Bret Barker is a member of our local Mashing Maineiacs club in the Portland, ME area. He loves concocting a wide range of brews, but tend to lean towards sessionable beers such as Pale Ales, Session IPAs, Dark Milds, Belgian Wits, and more.
The Libation: IPA
Bret has refined the malt bill in this special creation over the years, but doesn't shy away from experimenting with the hops and yeast strain for each and every batch. This particular brew leans heavily on Mosaic and Centennial hops for late additions, though he also adores the flavors that emerge from combining Simcoe and Citra. Fill your glass and let the good times roll!
The Savory Elixir: Rye of the Beholder
INGREDIENTS
GRAIN- 5.4 lbs 2 Row Base Malt- 4 lbs Vienna Malt- 2.25 lbs Rye Malt- 1 lbs Caramel 120- 1 oz Acidulated Malt
HOPS- 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
YEAST- 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°F
BOIL: 60 min
FERMENTATION: 65°F -75°F, 8 days
SYSTEM: Spike Solo
Cheers,
Bret Barker - Better Brewing Bureau
Sipology 101: IPA Insights
What is an IPA?
India Pale Ales (IPAs) have burst into popularity as favorite craft beer choices. Known for their bold, bitter taste, IPAs owe their unique characteristics to the generous use of hops. These hops typically deliver potent flavors compared to other beer styles, resulting in a one-of-a-kind experience. With an alcohol content usually ranging from 4-7% ABV, IPAs stand out from the crowd.
You'll find an impressive variety of IPA subcategories, including West Coast, East Coast, Session, Belgian, and Fruited IPAs. For a brew that packs a strong punch in flavor and a distinctive hop character, be sure to give IPAs a try!
Why are IPAs well-liked?
Their captivating taste, with its assertive bitterness and citrusy, floral, and herbal flavors, is why IPAs are so adored.
What does an IPA taste like?
Tasting notes for different IPA styles may vary, but don't be surprised to find hints of tropical fruit, citrus, pine, and herbal notes lingering on your palate.
Historical Perspectives on IPAs
These brews began life in 19th-century England, designed to supply beer to troops stationed in India. The high alcohol and hop content served as a natural preservative during transportation, and they soon gained favor back in England before spreading across the globe as a beloved beer style.
Contemporary IPAs encompass various styles and flavors, from classic English styles to modern American adaptations. Brewers continue to push boundaries by experimenting with diverse hop selections and techniques to develop unique, delectable brews.
Savoring Your IPA
- To truly appreciate an IPA, be mindful of serving it slightly chilled to amplify the hop flavors and aromas.
- When pouring, take your time and pour the beer in a circular motion to create a delightful head, trapping aroma and flavor within the beverage. This method also results in beautiful lacing on the glass.
- Once poured, savor the flavors and aromas as you leisurely sip, noticing the delicate interplay between hop flavors and the evolution of bitterness as the beer warms.
Food Pairings for IPAs
When pairing food with an IPA, keep in mind that its bitterness can overpower subtle flavors. Match it with bold dishes that can stand up to the beer's hop-forward taste.
- Spicy cuisine like Mexican or Indian food pairs wonderfully with IPAs, as the beer's bitterness cuts through the heat while the malt sweetness balances things out.
- Rich, savory dishes like a juicy steak or hearty stew compliment IPAs, as the bitterness slices through the fat, and the malt sweetness harmonizes the flavors.
- For a lighter match, pair an IPA with a salad or seafood dish. A Session IPA or Lactose IPA, both having lower hop bitterness and malt sweetness, are perfect options.
- For a bittersweet pairing, consider a fruit-forward IPA like a Fruited or Sour IPA, which often contains fruit purees or juices, making them ideal for desserts and sweet dishes.
IPA Alcohol Content Range
India Pale Ales typically have an ABV range of 5-7%, but this varies according to the IPA subcategory. West Coast IPAs have higher ABV levels, between 6-7.5%, while Session IPAs have a lower range of 4-5.5% ABV. Double IPAs, also known as Imperial IPAs, are the strongest, with an ABV of 7-10%.
Remember that a higher ABV level produces more intense and bitter flavors due to the increased amount of hops and malt used in the brewing process. If you fancy a stronger, more bitter beer, opt for an IPA with a higher ABV. On the flip side, select a lower ABV IPA for a milder, less assertive flavor.
IPA Subcategories
West Coast IPA
West Coast IPAs are renowned for their intense hop flavor and aroma, boasting a robust hop taste balanced by a light malt profile. They can showcase a moderate to very high hop bitterness with alcohol content levels ranging from 5% to 10%.
East Coast IPA
East Coast IPAs feature a moderately softer malt profile compared to their West Coast counterparts, resulting in a slightly sweeter taste and reduced hop intensity. These brews have a light to medium body with a crisp finish, often incorporating fruit, wheat, or oats as adjunct ingredients.
Session IPA
Session IPAs, uniquely appreciated for their lower alcohol content, were designed for extended consumption without leaving you feeling overwhelmed. This brew emphasizes the hop aroma and flavor rather than the intense bitterness, showcasing citrusy, floral, and herbal notes.
British IPA
British IPAs, or English IPAs, are recognized by their floral and fruity aroma, balanced malt flavor, and slightly bitter finish. These brews showcase a light to medium body, a golden to amber hue, and an ABV of 4.5-6.5%.
Lactose IPA Aka "Milkshake" IPA
The increase in popularity of the Lactose IPA, or "Milkshake" IPA, is intriguing as it introduces a creamy, sweet flavor resulting from the addition of lactose, a sugar derived from milk. This ingredient also contributes to a smooth, full-bodied texture. Lactose IPAs frequently combine various hop varieties to create complex, dynamic flavors balanced by lactose sweetness.
Oat IPA
Oat IPAs are singled out among other IPAs due to the higher oat content, resulting in a creamy, smooth mouthfeel. These brews feature a fruity, floral, and citrusy taste, often finishing dry.
Belgian IPA
Belgian IPAs blend the hop-forward flavors of traditional IPAs with the distinctive, fruity esters associated with Belgian yeast. Commonly brewed with hops like Styrian Goldings, Saaz, and Hallertau, they exhibit a spicy and herbal taste.
Fruited IPA
Fruited IPAs have gained popularity for their unique twist on the IPA style. Utilizing a variety of fruits, including pineapple, mango, passionfruit, and citrus, these brews range from sweet to tart. The fruity additions contribute a slight acidity that counters the hop bitterness.
Sour IPA
Sour IPAs, aka "sour ales," offer a distinct sour or tart flavor as a result of brewing with wild yeast strains, bacteria, and other microorganisms. Lighter in color and weaker in alcohol content, these beers often have an intriguing balance of flavors ranging from light and fruity to dark and intense.
Brett IPA
Brett IPAs, or Brettanomyces IPAs, have piqued interest for their distinctive flavor profile, achieved by adding Brettanomyces yeast during fermentation. This yeast generates numerous complex flavor compounds, including tropical fruit, citrus, earthy notes, and a mild funkiness. Dry-hopping emphasizes the hop character and intensifies the bitterness.
Double IPA
Double IPAs, or Imperial IPAs, are robust and are characterized by their higher amounts of hops, malt, and alcohol compared to classic IPAs. Their hoppy, fruity, and citrusy flavors are balanced by sweet maltiness and a lingering finish. Enhanced alcohol content gives these brews a smooth mouthfeel and creates a pleasant warming sensation.
Black IPA
Black IPAs, or Cascadian Dark Ales, merge the hop-forward flavors of IPAs with the dark maltiness of stouts or porters. This results in a powerful, bitter brew with rich, roasted undertones.
Brewed with dark malts like chocolate and black patent, along with hop varieties such as Cascade, Centennial, and Amarillo, Black IPAs boast a strong citrus and floral aroma accompanied by smooth, roasted flavors hinting at chocolate and coffee. These beers generally have higher alcohol content, ranging from 6-9% ABV, making them an excellent pairing for savory dishes like steak, barbecue, or dark chocolate desserts.
Bittery Brews
Bitter beer is characterized by the hops it contains. While IPAs tend to have a low to moderate bitterness, the hop aroma is usually more pronounced than the bitterness, offering a fruity and juicy flavor.
Is IPA a Strong Brew?
Yes, IPAs have a stronger alcohol content compared to traditional beers, with an ABV range of 5-7%.
What Does EPA Beer Mean?
EPA stands for Extra Pale Ale, which is a type of beer that is similar to an IPA but slightly lighter in color and body. It is also less bitter and has a lower alcohol content than IPAs.
[1] https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2019/05/02/716811305/what-if-a-craft-coffee-beer-wasnt-just-fermented-on-coffee-beans-but-coffee-yeast[2] https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/10/dining/American-Pancake-french-toast-recipe.html
- During a moment of respite from his craft beer creations, Bret Barker might find himself exploring the world of gadgets and smartphones, alongside his love for technology.
- In contrast to his passionate pursuit of perfecting the IPA, Bret Barker expresses equal fascination with modern-day advancements, such as hops and yeast strains for IPA batches, and equally exciting gadgets and smartphones that surface in the realm of technology.
