Smash IPA

Beer Recipes
1

Deciding on experimenting with 1 gal batches using the SMaSH method, specifically for IPAs.  I’m aiming to fill 6 bombers for this batch and set beersmith to make 2 gal considering wort loss from all the hops.  Let me know what you think…

2 gal batch - to fill 6 bombers/12 pack

5# MO
.75 oz simcoe or magnum FWH 70ibu
3.25 oz simcoe steep 30-60min @170
2.0 oz simcoe DH 4-7 days

WLP001
Distilled water adjusted w/ brunwater. 
PH target 5.2-5.4? Any preference here?

Reason for this: want to know what these hops taste like on their own…and simcoe is in the running to be my next boxer puppies name.  As long as it doesn’t turn out to be cat piss

2

I think this will be a good way to evaluate a hop but not a particular malt. To evaluate a malt I would think you would want something less hoppy with more neutral hops.

3

I shoot for 5.4 pH (measured at room temp) for my hoppy beers.

4

I find SMaSH IPAs to be boring and prefer to use Pale Ales or Blondes to evaluate hops. Good IPAs require hop layering IMO.

5

I agree. I think SMaSH beers are better in the APA format, personally, because:  1/ Like Chris said, IPA level hopping can make it tougher to eval the malt than in an APA, and  2/  IPA is all about hops and using different hop combos for complexity, and to get the hop character you like best.

6

Yea I’m looking more at the hops

7

I guess I’m more towards evaluating the hops over the malt.  What would you adjust to make this an APA?

8

I’d adjust OG down to 1.052-1.056, IBU more in the 41- 46 IBU range. Currently, I’m adding all my target IBU @ 60 mins in the form of a Magnum addition, then adding 5 oz of your late hop(s) after cooling to 170F and steeping for 30 mins (assuming 5.5 gallons). I then dry hop 2.5 oz of same late hops, or whatever strikes your fancy. Makes a hoppy, nice APA.

9

Thanks. So if I was just focusing on the hops, you think the IPA wouldn’t be as good as the APA? As far as evaluating flavor and aroma

10

My favorite SMaSH IPA that I have made was MO and EKG.

11

My bad. I misunderstood what you said about wanting to know how the malt and hops taste on their own.

12

Now that’s the good SMaSH IPA IMO.  :slight_smile:

13

No your good, I did write that in the OP.  I was just making a general statement about learning what one particular ingredient brings to the table.  But I meant to brew this to see what flavors simcoe gives off for myself instead of just reading about it.

14

That sounds like a winner to me.

15

Are you guys talking a real APA, with real guidelines of IBUs or are you suggesting a Three Floyds Alpha King APA=American IPA.  I think a 35-40IBUs 5.8-6.2% SMaSH APA would not be terrible, but simcoe is a strong hop in my opinion.

16

That’s just what I want to find out for myself.  My main goal is to evaluate one hop while at the same time try this hop bursting thingy I’ve been hearing about.

17

So I came across this post about bittering with simcoe.  Although it would go against the smash idea, I’m now thinking of bittering with something neutral.  Magnum, Columbus, etc.  any thoughts on this?

https://www.maltosefalcons.com/blogs/david-lester/my-lovehate-relationship-simcoe-hops

18

Columbus is NOT neutral.
Magnum is great, and quite neutral.
Perle and Hallertaur are other good clean hops for this sort of thing.
IMO, Perle is a very under-appreciated hop with some great properties.

19

Ill stick with magnum then.  Think I remember Beechum mentioning using magnum during his brewing on the ones talk at NHC few years back