Haze. We all want haze. Although we enjoy making all different styles of beer - and some out of favor styles at that. We almost always have at least one Hazy beer on tap. Although most of those are around 6-7% abv, for our latest iteration we decided to go with a bigger beer. A hazy double IPA. When all said and done this one came in just a tad under 9%. The biggest IPA that we have had on tap for a long time.
Another major aspect of this beer was that we decided to not use any flaked grains. The malt bill would be a more simple grain bill. We wanted to try and see if we could get the mouthfeel and haze stability without adding all the flaked adjuncts. I mean, if Treehouse can do it, why can't we?
As you can see below, the grain bill is very simple. 2-Row, Pilsner, and a Caramel Sweet Malt. The Caramel Sweet was to add just a little bit of color, and maybe a hint of rich malt. At 3% it wouldn't add too much flavor wise.
| Amount | Fermentable | PPG | °L | Bill % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 lb | Viking - Pale Ale Malt | 37 | 2.5 | 60.6% |
| 6 lb | American - Pilsner | 37 | 1.8 | 36.4% |
| 0.50 lb | Viking - Finland - Viking - Caramel Sweet | 33 | 24 | 3% |
We mashed in at 152 degrees Fahrenheit for 60 minutes. After Vorlaufing until clear we lautered into our brew kettle for the boil. The Original Gravity of this beer was 1.077/1.078.
For hops we decided to use a few different varietals and a new experimental hop from Yakima Valley Hops.
| Amount | Variety | Type | AA | Use | Time | IBU | Bill % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.50 oz | Cascade | Pellet | 7 | Whirlpool at 200 °F | 1 min | 2.05 | 5.6% |
| 2 oz | Yakima Valley Hops - NZ Rakau | Pellet | 9.3 | Whirlpool at 200 °F | 10 min | 10.89 | 22.2% |
| 1 oz | Ekuanot | Pellet | 14.25 | Whirlpool at 200 °F | 0 min | 8.34 | 11.1% |
| 2 oz | HBC 586 | Pellet | 10 | Whirlpool at 200 °F | 0 min | 11.71 | 22.2% |
| 2 oz | Yakima Valley Hops - NZ Rakau | Pellet | 9.3 | Dry Hop | 3 days | 22.2% | |
| 1.50 oz | HBC 586 | Pellet | 10 | Dry Hop | 3 days | 16.7% |
The yeast we used, was also new, Julius from Imperial Yeasts... and apparently due to some issues with naming we may not see it again, at least not with this name.
We pitched the yeast and fermented at 68 degrees Fahrenheit for two days, raised the temp to 71 degrees to finish. One of the best things about Imperial Yeasts is that it chomps through beer. Even big beers like this one.
After monitoring fermentation with our Tilt Hydrometer and reaching a steady final gravity we cold crashed for 36 hours at 33 degrees Fahrenheit, and racked to our keg via closed transfer. Final Gravity was 1.012. This was a little lower than expected and raised our expected ABV slightly, but not necessarily a bad thing.
Appearance:
Looks like Mango juice with a thick frothy white head. As it is consumed a nice lacing appears on the inside of the glass, leaving rings showing your progress.
Aroma:
A burst of stone fruit and citrus and a hint of dankness. The two dominant aromas are Mango and Apricot. Not overly ripe fruit, but freshly sliced fruit aroma.
Taste and Mouthfeel:
Bright tropical and stone fruit, mango, pineapple, apricot, peach. The fruit flavors are crisp, and not overly sweet. The beer is thick and soft, almost chewy. Bitterness is calm, and balanced for such a big beer.
Overall Impression:
It's amazing, it is everything you want in a Double IPA. Big flavors and aromas. Big booze - but still soft and approachable for the style.
After monitoring fermentation with our Tilt Hydrometer and reaching a steady final gravity we cold crashed for 36 hours at 33 degrees Fahrenheit, and racked to our keg via closed transfer. Final Gravity was 1.012. This was a little lower than expected and raised our expected ABV slightly, but not necessarily a bad thing.
Appearance:
Looks like Mango juice with a thick frothy white head. As it is consumed a nice lacing appears on the inside of the glass, leaving rings showing your progress.
Aroma:
A burst of stone fruit and citrus and a hint of dankness. The two dominant aromas are Mango and Apricot. Not overly ripe fruit, but freshly sliced fruit aroma.
Taste and Mouthfeel:
Bright tropical and stone fruit, mango, pineapple, apricot, peach. The fruit flavors are crisp, and not overly sweet. The beer is thick and soft, almost chewy. Bitterness is calm, and balanced for such a big beer.
Overall Impression:
It's amazing, it is everything you want in a Double IPA. Big flavors and aromas. Big booze - but still soft and approachable for the style.
