36 replies to this topic

[Genesee Ted]

In reference to the OP, I have had 21 of those

[No Party JKor]

I've had Bell's Hopslam fresh from the pub in Kalamazoo. It's not on the list and I don't know how many IBUs it has, but I can't imagine how a beer could be more hoppy than that one. My brain literally can't wrap around what a more hoppy beer than that would taste like. I've only had teh likes of Pliny, et al, in a botle, but none of the bottled insane hope beers have even been in the same league as the Hopslam.

[HVB]

I've had Bell's Hopslam fresh from the pub in Kalamazoo. It's not on the list and I don't know how many IBUs it has, but I can't imagine how a beer could be more hoppy than that one. My brain literally can't wrap around what a more hoppy beer than that would taste like. I've only had teh likes of Pliny, et al, in a botle, but none of the bottled insane hope beers have even been in the same league as the Hopslam.

The hopslam out of the bottle I have had has been good but not over the top hoppy. With that said, I really like that beer a lot!

[MolBasser]

so basser - does this mean if I'm estimating much over 100 IBUs that I shouldn't bother adding more hops? I don't think my equations have the cut off you are talking about. is the solubility a hard limit or does it become harder and harder to get more IBUs as you get closer to it?

Yes. You will be wasting hops.MolBasser

[weave]

I've had 18 of those beers. I'm not really a hop head so I'm kind of suprised I've had that many of them.

[brewguy]

I think I'm in the 20 something range, and I'm not into hoppy beers. Most of them would have been at a fest, so the memory is a bit fuzzy. Seems like the over the top hop trend is on the decline.

[chuck_d]

In before the move to the beer forum.And by the way, it is biochemically impossible to get over 130 IBU into a beer, and practically impossible to get over 105.Sorry, it is all marketing hype.We tested one beer that was advertised as over 100 bu (forget which one) and it clocked in at about 70. Just like Torpedo.MolBasser

I'm glad somebody called BS on this. Lots of craft brewers don't have the ability to test, so they use formulas and estimate it. What I find interesting is the threshold for the maximum you can physically put into a beer is nearly the same threshold that you can taste. A nice little symmetry there.

[MolBasser]

That is another fine point.Once you get past 90 IBU or so, humans just don't taste more bitter. It is as bitter as it gets.MolBasser

[cavman]

That is another fine point.Once you get past 90 IBU or so, humans just don't taste more bitter. It is as bitter as it gets.MolBasser

True but hop flavors can still be added not just bitterness, I actually brew my IPA's for hop flavor/aroma versus bitterness.

[MolBasser]

True but hop flavors can still be added not just bitterness, I actually brew my IPA's for hop flavor/aroma versus bitterness.

Sure, but that is not the point of the OP.And the flavor oils that you seek also have solubility limits.Same with the aroma oils.MolBasser

[drewseslu]

In my time at Schlafly we ran IBU tests on quite a few commercial beers out of curiosity and favors, the only one that ever approached 100 IBUs was Shorts Humulupalicious IPA, which was still totally off the charts at diluted 1:1 with RO water.Although, we weren't testing with GC or anything, it was old school, so take that FWIW.

[djinkc]

Sure, but that is not the point of the OP.And the flavor oils that you seek also have solubility limits.Same with the aroma oils.MolBasser

True but sometimes you have to consider if a miscible mix can be done.

[chuck_d]

In my time at Schlafly we ran IBU tests on quite a few commercial beers out of curiosity and favors, the only one that ever approached 100 IBUs was Shorts Humulupalicious IPA, which was still totally off the charts at diluted 1:1 with RO water.Although, we weren't testing with GC or anything, it was old school, so take that FWIW.

If you're not covered by some NDA, would you mind discussing the techniques you all used for that? All the methods I've read about are beyond the scope of my current equipment but wouldn't mind hearing how you used to do this analysis.

[cavman]

Sure, but that is not the point of the OP.And the flavor oils that you seek also have solubility limits.Same with the aroma oils.MolBasser

No doubt at some point the oils can't fight their way through, but if you can't tell the difference between a beer that just hits that limit and one that tried to break the barrier you are kidding yourself.

[Kremer]

Stone Ruination -

this. one of my favorite beers.

[ChefLamont]

No Moylan's Hopsickle? List fail.I think I have had 8-10ish of them.One of them is the Southern Tier Unearthly. It is a good beer. However, I had a chance to have a pint of the Unearthly aged on oak, and it really took it to a new level. I really enjoyed it.

[MolBasser]

No doubt at some point the oils can't fight their way through, but if you can't tell the difference between a beer that just hits that limit and one that tried to break the barrier you are kidding yourself.

Having tasted many "uber hopped" beers, I respectfully disagree.MolBasser