Hoppy Irish Red - Ooops.

General Homebrew Discussion
1

I was attempting to make a traditional Irish Red Ale and used too much hops.
My recipe called for 0.50 oz. of Nugget and I guess I got all beside myself and dumped the entire ounce in there.
This along with a small Galena addition (leftovers from a previous brew) pushes my IBUs up around 51. I didn’t realize that I had put the whole 1 oz. in there until afterwards I was going over my next recipe which I was going to use the other 0.50 oz in.
She’s still conditioning, so I haven’t had a good taste yet to compare.
Irish Red Ale usually stays under 28 IBUs.

If it turns out to be a good beer, I would still like to maybe enter this into a homebrew competition.
What style could I enter this under?

Any suggestions would be great! Thanks!
This is my first post, btw.

2

See what it tastes like first, that will open your eyes to what it is.

3

I think that’d make it an American Amber, although the IBUs are over the top there too.  In any case, I bet it’ll be really tasty.

4

I agree that American amber would be the closest. Joshua82 - keep in mind that IBUs are just a number. How you perceive IBUs are influenced by a number of factors like the intensity of hops used and the malt character of the beer. 51 IBU in a clean blonde ale would be pretty assertive, but the same number in a malty Irish Red would seem less so in comparison.

5

I agree American Amber is your best choice, comp wise. Have you bottled this yet? If not, I’d recommend a couple ounces of dry hops. If it’s going to be a hoppy beer, might as well roll with it…

6

I was also going to suggest this. Maybe fully assimilate it into America with some cascade or such.

7

I always use 4 ounces of Fuggles in my Irish Reds. FWH 1oz, then add 2 oz at 10 and 1 oz at 5 minutes left in the boil. I am sure that takes me “out of style” but I don’t brew for competitions. I brew to my taste.

8

What? Is that allowed?

9

So many hoppy reds out there - I wouldn’t sweat it, unless you have intentions to enter it…even then, I wouldn’t sweat it.  I’d just enjoy it.

10

I wish I agreed!  Probably on the West Coast, not here in New England.  But, being that this is probably my favorite style, I don’t think I’d ever be satisfied unless they were as plentiful as IPAs are these days.