That’s right kids … it’s time for another Brewerman brew day. To celebrate my birthday yesterday, and in preparation for the sometime-in-the-not-too-distant-future man trip (date and time TBD), I’m brewing the 5th edition of the Butterface IPA. The Butterface is an ever-changing recipe for a somewhat assertively-hopped American IPA. The original recipe used Chinook, Cascade, and Amarillo hops, and tasted so yummy.
Basically I stick with the same simple extract-based malt bill. 8-9 pounds of pale extract, and a pound of light crystal malts. Simple. This is really a beer that I learn hops with. In the 5 years that I’ve been making this beer (or any of my beers for that matter), I’ve never really focussed on Cascade. It’s only while writing this that I realize thatt I’ve always steered clear of Cascade because I thought it was so cliche. I think that I chose to really focus on Cascade this year because as I get older, I want to go with what works. Cascade is the typical workhorse NW hop. From what I gather in looking at IPA recipes, it just tastes yummy. And that, my friends, is what I drink beer for!
So I’m going to go with what works, and I’m going somewhat big. Six hop additions including 3 ounces dry hopped (one in primary and two in secondary). 8.5 ounces total for a five-gallon batch. Amarillo for bittering, and Cascade for flavor/aroma. Should be good. I’ll be doing the usual post updates as the beer progresses, so check back when curious. Think positive guys … the Butterface is coming!