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Blending IPAs


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#1 HVB

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Posted 28 April 2015 - 11:46 AM

Curious at the thoughts about blending multiple IPAs to create a final beer.  There is a new brewery opening in Mass that has been getting a lot of press and in one recent article they indicated:

the bulk of which will be three IPA-style “hoppy ales,” and a fourth, called Boom Sauce, that’s a blend of the first three. Lanigan says that not only will that allow for a more consistent product, it will also add complexity, like some of his favorite bordeaux blends in the wine world.

 

 

Seems like a real interesting way to go and I am sure they have a reason for it but I am still trying to wrap my head around it.  I can understand this approach for some beers but IPAs would not be one of those.



#2 positiveContact

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Posted 28 April 2015 - 12:04 PM

agreed.  blending IPAs to get hop complexity doesn't make much sense.  why not just put the overall blend of hops into one beer?

 

I get blending things where one beer is a flavoring of the other.  like in three philosophers where you don't need much lambic to flavor the main beer.



#3 ChicagoWaterGuy

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Posted 28 April 2015 - 12:06 PM

I'd try it. It could give nice complexity or taste like a muddled mess.

#4 HVB

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Posted 28 April 2015 - 12:08 PM

I'd try it. It could give nice complexity or taste like a muddled mess.

 

That would be my worry.

 

Granted, I have no idea about the base recipes or hop bills. If the base recipes are the same I would imagine it would help minimize the muddy flavors



#5 ChicagoWaterGuy

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Posted 28 April 2015 - 12:24 PM

Blending IPAs could work. I could see it either as blending single hop beers to see how well they play together or blending a sweeter/more caramel "east coast" ipa with a dry/no caramel "west coast" ipa to create more balance.

#6 SchwanzBrewer

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Posted 28 April 2015 - 12:28 PM

It works just like any other blends for sours, whiskey, or wine. I don't have a problem with it, it's actually pretty difficult to do. 



#7 HVB

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Posted 28 April 2015 - 12:29 PM

It works just like any other blends for sours, whiskey, or wine. I don't have a problem with it, it's actually pretty difficult to do. 

I do not have a problem with it either.  I just find an IPA a strange one to do it on.  I agree on difficulty

Blending IPAs could work. I could see it either as blending single hop beers to see how well they play together or blending a sweeter/more caramel "east coast" ipa with a dry/no caramel "west coast" ipa to create more balance.

Okay, I can see that working



#8 neddles

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Posted 28 April 2015 - 12:29 PM

My only experience was something I tried recently. (Like 2 wks ago) I blended 50/50 my house IPA with my Todd The Axeman IPA (both recipes in the recipe forum) and it was not to my liking at all. A muddled mess, as you guys called it. I can see how it can work but I dont see that blending is going to get a flavor unobtainable by other means. You never know though for sure I guess.

#9 positiveContact

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Posted 28 April 2015 - 12:35 PM

sometimes I like to blend stout with IPA.  :blush:



#10 HVB

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Posted 28 April 2015 - 12:37 PM

sometimes I like to blend stout with IPA.  :blush:

you be crazy!



#11 Poptop

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Posted 29 April 2015 - 05:08 AM

sometimes I like to blend stout with IPA.  :blush:

Victory Storm King popped right into my brain. Black IPA meets stout? Whateverthehell..... Terrible IMHO.............

#12 HVB

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Posted 29 April 2015 - 05:18 AM

Victory Storm King popped right into my brain. Black IPA meets stout? Whateverthehell..... Terrible IMHO.............

I have a couple bottles of Dark Intrigue sitting in my cellar "Storm King Stout is waiting in oak bourbon barrels, slowly aging and picking up flavors of bourbon, vanilla, oak and spices"  They are sitting there because of what I have heard of Storm King!  maybe age will help them :)

 

#13 positiveContact

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Posted 29 April 2015 - 05:21 AM

you be crazy!

 

usually it's not a half and half kind of thing.  I tend to make it about 3/4 of one 1/4 of the other.  so it's either a roasty IPA or a slightly hoppy stout.



#14 Poptop

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Posted 29 April 2015 - 05:22 AM

I say let them age. Bourbon/vanilla: peas/carrots :)What a fantastic combo. Question; would you bottle this when it's time or keg? I ask b/c I just sadly threw away about 15 bombs that were very tasty but extremely dangerous.


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