Gold Medal NZ Pils (NHC Category 3 2024)

Beer Recipes
1

Researching a possible BIAB, Pressure Ferment, Pils that might be an interesting brew to play with a Single Decoction Mash. I’ve done a Helles Single Decoction with 34/70 and had great success at 12psi. I’m looking around and found THIS recipe BUT it is SO wrong unless this brewer is using concentrated water? I’m trying to figure out how what would appear to be an American IPA seems to have won a Gold in Cat #3 when it’s more accurately some kind of an IPA?

As Posted On AHA
Yield:** 5.75 U.S. gal. (21.8 L)
Original Gravity: 1.053 (13°P)
Final Gravity: 1.012 (3°P)
ABV: 5.4%
IBU: 35
SRM: 3

Per Brewfather
Yield:** 5.75 U.S. gal
Original Gravity: 1.065
Final Gravity: 1.010
ABV: 7.2%
IBU: 66
SRM: 3.6

And a 5.75oz batch with THREE OUNCES of Flavor/Aroma hops? AND yet another FOUR OUNCES of Keg Hops. The hop factory is running THREE shifts to keep up!

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2

I just took a look at the recipe, and I’m guessing the efficiency they list is waaaay too high. (my hot take - efficiencies that most people list are akin to the size of the the fish that got away). I entered the grain bill in BeerSmith, and a brewhouse efficiency of 64% and mash efficiency of ~68% hit 1.053 exactly for a 5.75 gallon batch.

I agree that it’s lots of hops, but I’m thinking it’s not too far off for what the style normally is. Although I’m not much on the competition circuit, my understanding is that recipes will often push the edges of a style in order to stand out in the crowd, too.

In any case, I would suggest dialing back the malt until it hits the gravity you are aiming for on your system.