I’m using Citra for the first time tomorrow night. Please feel look over my recipe and give feedback. Thanks. (I’m not looking to stick to any particular style guidelines, so no needed there.)
12# 2row
4# 40L
1oz citra @60
.25oz citra @45
.25oz citra @30
.25oz citra @15
.25oz citra @5
US-05
Mash temp 152*
70% effcy
OG 1.057
56.3 IBU
25% of your grain is 40L? That is way too much in my opinion. I wouldn’t use more than 10%.
As far as the hops, I would just combine all of the additions after 60 minutes and do 1 oz at the end of the boil however I would be more inclined to use something different for bittering and use the 2 oz of citra differently.
I agree. And the thing about Citra and the other new ‘fruity’ hops is that using too much crystal with just fruity hops can make your beer seem sweeter than usual. I usually back off on crystal when I use lots of fruity hops. Love Citra, though.
Hadn’t considered it being to sweet. I’ll back off on that, then. What would be a decent bittering hop to go with Citra?
Since this looks like an IPA, Columbus is hard to beat IMO.
I’d second that (and all the other advice so far). Looks like you’re only getting maybe 20ish IBU from that addition anyway, so just use something readily accessible and high-alpha. CTZ runs about $5/lb.
I like citra and rye malt.
Maybe
12 base
3 rye
1 Crystal
30-40 IBUs CTZ @ 60
~ 8-12 IBUs Citra 20 or less
Dry hop centennial/citra/galaxy
But that’s my $.02
Maybe it’s just me, but I can’t take Citra alone. Too over fruity and makes the beer seem too sweet for me. I use them in combo with old school hops like Chinook and Centennial.
I second that. All in favor? :) :) :) ;D ;D ;D
The motion passes.
This
Same here. I like it but not solo. I like to balance it with non-fruity hops most times.
In a bigger beer I’d agree, but at 2 oz of Citra for 5-6 gal I think I’d like the result.
I find myself saying this about most IPA’s brewed with these new breed of hops. Add in the fruity underattenuating yeast that is all the rage, and bleck/\
Tastes is tastes, huh?
Ever try Breakside’s Tall Guy IPA? I think you might change your mind about single-hopped Citra. That beer is fantastic, and I don’t find it sweet at all. Of course, I doubt that they use much crystal malt in it.
Weaze, just another thought - if this is intended as an AIPA as it looks, 2 oz total of late hops is VERY light for IPA (even for an APA IMO). 6 oz spread across the last 15 minutes, or even better steeped for 30 mins after cooling to 175F, plus 3 oz-ish dry would give you an IPA with much better hop character IMO. Take it for what it’s worth - I’m a hophead who brews a fair amount of hoppy beers and I use more than this typically. I don’t know what your love of hop flavor/aroma or goals for the beer are - just giving $0.02 (probably less). 
Well he originally said he had no style in mind. I am thinking he might be looking for something closer to a strongish blonde ale with a bit of citra kick?
Yeah, that may well be more what he has in mind. I read it but saw the OG and 1:1 BU:GU and my brain went right to IPA. Might be a fairly bitter blonde, but who cares? I’m guilty of pigeonholing beers too much anyway.
I thought the same thing when I saw the IBUs.
Joel, any goals for this beer regardless of style?
Another thought would just be to bring the IBUs down by decreasing the 60 minute addition. Maybe use 1/2 oz for bittering and add the 1/2 oz on the backend of the boil.
Far out, man. ;D
I’m actually brewing my all-Citra IPA tomorrow, but that may not be a fair comparison since it also has 1/4 lb habaneros in it.