Welcome, homebrew heroes! Today, we’re diving into the frothy world of Juicy IPAs, or as they’re affectionately known, the nectar of the craft beer gods. This blog post isn’t just a recipe; it’s your passport to brewing a beer that’s as vibrant as a summer’s day. So grab your mash paddle, and let’s brew some liquid sunshine!
What’s a Juicy IPA?
The Juicy IPA, often synonymous with the New England IPA (NEIPA), is celebrated for its lush aromatics, hefty fruit flavors, and a smooth, creamy body that can make even the hoppiest beer drinker swoon.
Unlike its West Coast counterpart, this IPA isn’t a bitter hop bomb—it’s a hop bouquet! This style is all about big hop flavor without the tongue-scraping bitterness. It’s cloudy, it’s juicy, and yes, it’s supposed to look like that.
A Splash of History
The style originated in the American Northeast in the early 2010s, making it a relative pup in the ancient lineage of beers. However, it quickly pawed its way into the hearts of beer enthusiasts.
Legend has it that the Juicy IPA was born out of a brewer’s desire to create a beer that could showcase hop aromas and flavors in their most natural and unadulterated form—like squeezing hops right into your glass.
Recipe Development
For a perfect Juicy IPA, balance is key. You want to hit that sweet spot of fruitiness, hoppiness, and drinkability without any element overwhelming the others.
The following recipes makes a 5-gallon finished batch.
Beer Stats:
These values are approximate estimates and may vary based on individual brewing systems, practices and conditions.
- ABV (Alcohol By Volume): 6.1%
- IBUs (International Bitterness Units): 72
- OG (Original Gravity): 1.063
- FG (Final Gravity): 1.017
Ingredients:
- Malts:
- 8 lbs Pale Malt
- 2 lbs Flaked Oats
- 1 lb Flaked Wheat
- 1 lb Carapils (Dextrine Malt)
- Hops:
- 1 oz Citra (60 mins – for bittering)
- 2 oz Mosaic (15 mins)
- 2 oz El Dorado (5 mins)
- 2 oz Citra, 2 oz Mosaic, 2 oz El Dorado (Dry Hop 7 days)
- Yeast:
- Wyeast 1318 London Ale III or a similar yeast that emphasizes fruity esters
- Water:
- Aim for soft water, adjust with gypsum and calcium chloride to enhance mouthfeel and hop flavor.
Brewing Instructions:
- Mashing:
- Heat your water to 152°F. Mash in the grains and maintain the temperature for 60 minutes to convert the starches into sugars.
- Boiling:
- After mashing, bring the wort to a boil. Add the first hops for bittering at the start of a 60-minute boil. Follow with hop additions at 15 minutes and at 5 minutes before the end to layer those juicy flavors.
- Cooling and Fermentation:
- Cool the wort quickly to about 68°F before pitching your yeast. Ferment for two weeks or until fermentation signs diminish.
- Dry Hopping:
- After fermentation, add the remaining hops directly to the fermenter for 7 days. This is where the magic happens, infusing the brew with a burst of hop aroma.
- Bottling:
- Prime with sugar and bottle. Let the bottles condition for at least two weeks before chilling and serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: Why is my Juicy IPA so cloudy?
- A: That haze is a hallmark of the style! It comes from the protein-rich grains and the hop polyphenols interacting in your brew.
- Q: How long will the hop flavor last?
- A: Juicy IPAs are best enjoyed fresh. Drink them within the first few months for the best experience.
- Q: Can I substitute hops?
- A: Absolutely, feel free to experiment with different hop varieties. Just aim for those with tropical, citrus, or stone fruit characteristics to stay true to style.
Conclusion: There you have it! Brewing a Juicy IPA is like hosting a tropical party in your fermenter. Remember, this style is all about freshness.
So, once your brew is ready, call over some friends, pour generously, and toast to the art of craft brewing. Here’s to cloudy days that taste surprisingly bright!
Cheers! 🍻
P.S. If you are into brewing your own beer be sure to take advantage of my limited-time offer to get your hands on the recipes to my top 5 best-selling beers from my brewpub.
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