I think I'm ready for my first brewday. I have researched homebrewing for the last 3 months, and have ran though the process in my head about a million times. I have decided on an Ipa. Tell me what you think.

8 lb light LME
1 lb G west 2-row
1 lb briess cystal 20L

1oz Columbus 90min
1 oz centennial 90 min
1oz centennial dry hop
1oz cascade dry hop

I will steep grains for 45 mins at 155. I will add 5 lbs of the LME and leave the last 3 lbs for the last 15 mins, and the 2 oz of hops in a mixture over the 90 min boil

I don't really see a need for a 90 minute boil in a IPA. I'd also do some hops at 30 and 15 minutes to go as well. Maybe take the DH Centennials and do them at flame-out as well. Shoot for about 1:1 IBUs to OG (Say if your beer is 1.060 OG, shoot for 60ish IBUs, maybe a bit higher, considering your username... )

Well I'm trying a mix between a stone ipa and the dogfish head 90 min.
I know it's kinda asking for trouble to try somthing like this but think it would work

Just trying to save you 30 minutes...But you definitely need some hops at the flavor and aroma additions if you want to get close to those beers.

I will be adding hops every 8 mins

"2 oz of hops in a mixture over the 90 min boil "


Guess it pays to read the notes....

Think it will work

I'm with Robert, definitely space those hop additions out, and I think you will be quite happy with the beer you have there. Since this is your first batch, you won't notice right away, but, you will find once you do some more batches that extract brews tend to turn out all within a fairly defined color range, because the extract, whether it be extra light, or something heavier, will give you a beer with similar color. This isn't a bad thing, just don't freak out if a bunch of beers all end up a similar color. You can certainly make an extract beer darker by steeping darker grains (stouts or porters, etc...), but you will only be able to go as light in color as the extract will allow.
I know you weren't asking about that, but thought I'd share it anyway, so you wouldn't think you were doing something wrong.
Best of luck, and don't overthink it

Hey Robert,

"Shoot for about 1:1 IBUs to OG "
Question: Do you do that for any style or just for IPA's?

I do it for just about everything, because that's what I like. It is really not to style for everything, though. Often times I just don't worry about style guidelines and tweak things to my liking.

For a new brewer I would suggest sticking to guidelines and tried and true recipes until you find out what you like and what you don't like.

That's what I try to do. I have made 9 batches, the last three my own recipes (partial mashes) and I try to stay in the middle for the style guidelines. But I think I'm going to try that 1:1 IBU: OG thing to see how I like it.

I would add 4-6oz in the finish (20min down) and fix your bittering hops to get the sugested 1:1 bug ratio.

also I'd skip the lb of 2-row, no need in this beer and steeping 2-row will give you starch in the beer. Also I think you are heavy on the crystal.

Good luck on your first beer.

Love the idea..go for it...i dont think it will be much like dogfish head 90min IPA or stone IPA but experimentation is where its at in home brewing ...if you like it than roll with it , that's how most of us learned...who knows it might just be the "Cats Ass" of your future brews!

If nothing else YOU WILL LEARN process...its an endeavor that all of us have been thru///good luck and enjoy!!

I would skip the 2 row and boil all your extract through the entire boil. the crystal should be ok it provides a nice subtle sweetness to balance the hops a bit more against an extract beer. hops seem a bit right i would do 1oz hot steep at flame out and then 1 oz dry hope to maximize your flavor and aroma profiles..

And Robert I like that idea of going 1:1 hops to gravity i have never heard that before but my IPA came out nearly at that its is one of my favorites I have done

Ok so I changed up my hop schedule here it is

.125 columbus @ 14.2% every ten mins for entire boil
.25 centennial @ 8.5% every ten mins for entire boil
1.0 cascade @ 7.5% (not that it matters) dry hopped



What do you guys think?

Did you mean .125 for the Centennial? At .25, its 117 IBUs for a 1.050ish beer. At .125, its 87 IBUs. Is it a 90 minute boil still?

I meant .25 for 90 mins is that to much you think

I personally think so. But you may like it. And bitterness does fade with time so even if it's a bit strong at first, hide that sucker away and brew another!

Hopheaded, If you're keeping 1lb 2-row for the experience make sure you mash not just steep.

How do I mash the two pounds of crystals