If you’re looking to brew a Heady Topper-style Double IPA, you’re going to love this one.
This Head Start IPA is a juicy, hazy, hop-forward Double IPA packed with Citra, Simcoe, and Centennial hops. Big citrus, mango, and tropical flavors with a smooth mouthfeel.
🎥 Video Version of Recipe
(INSERT VIDEO HERE)
In today’s video I walk through:
- Grain bill
- Mash schedule
- Hop schedule
- Dry hopping
- Fermentation schedule
- Pro tips
🍺 New to All-Grain Brewing?
If you’re new to all-grain brewing, start here first:
👉 https://makebeereasy.com/how-to-brew-all-grain-beer/
This guide walks you step-by-step through your first all-grain brew day.
You may also want to check out my complete guide:
👉 https://makebeereasy.com/how-to-home-brew-the-complete-guide/
Head Start IPA Recipe
5 Gallon Finished Batch
Target Stats
OG: 1.074–1.076
FG: 1.012–1.014
ABV: ~8.0%
IBU: ~70
Color: Hazy Golden
Grain Bill
14 lb US 2-Row Pale Malt
1.5 lb Flaked Oats
1 lb Wheat Malt
Using oats helps create that juicy hazy mouthfeel typical of Heady Topper-style IPAs.
Learn more about using oats in beer:
👉 https://makebeereasy.com/how-to-use-oats-in-beer/
Mash Schedule
Mash Temperature: 152°F
Mash Time: 60 minutes
Optional Mash Out
168°F for 10 minutes
If you’re not familiar with mash temperatures:
👉 https://makebeereasy.com/introduction-to-mashing-temperatures/
Also helpful:
👉 https://makebeereasy.com/what-is-a-mash-out/
Boil Schedule
60 minutes total
Bittering
1 oz Magnum — 60 minutes
Whirlpool (170°F for 20 Minutes)
After boil cool to 170°F and add:
2 oz Citra
2 oz Simcoe
1 oz Centennial
Learn more about whirlpooling:
👉 https://makebeereasy.com/whirlpooling-beer-techniques-and-benefits/
Dry Hop Schedule
Dry Hop #1 (Day 3)
2 oz Citra
2 oz Simcoe
Dry Hop #2 (Day 6)
1 oz Citra
1 oz Simcoe
1 oz Centennial
Learn more about dry hopping:
👉 https://makebeereasy.com/how-to-dry-hop-beer/
Also helpful:
👉 https://makebeereasy.com/double-dry-hopping/
Yeast
Best Choice:
Wyeast 1318 London Ale III
Also Excellent:
- Lallemand Verdant IPA
- Imperial A38 Juice
Learn more about fermentation temps:
👉 https://makebeereasy.com/fermentation-temperatures-in-homebrewing-beer/
Fermentation Schedule
Day 0 — Pitch yeast
Day 3 — Dry hop #1
Day 6 — Dry hop #2
Day 10-14 — Package
If you’re new to fermentation:
👉 https://makebeereasy.com/how-to-ferment-beer/
Water Profile (Optional)
Calcium: 100 ppm
Chloride: 150 ppm
Sulfate: 75 ppm
Chloride > Sulfate for juicy mouthfeel
Learn more:
👉 https://makebeereasy.com/how-to-adjust-your-brewing-water/
Expected Flavor Profile
Juicy citrus
Mango
Orange
Pineapple
Soft bitterness
Creamy mouthfeel
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🍺 Beginner Brewer Bootcamp
If you’re just getting started brewing:
👉 https://make-beer-easy.kit.com/3e41cd775d
Final Thoughts
This Head Start IPA is:
✔ Heady Topper inspired
✔ Juicy Double IPA
✔ BrewZilla compatible
✔ Hop forward
✔ 5 gallon batch
If you like big juicy IPAs, you’re going to love this one.
Cheers
Big Robb 🍺
P.S. Want to brew the same beers I served in my brewpub? 🍺
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