Additions to ESB American Pale Ale

[DJ]

I have some dark cystal, some Cascade and Amarillo hops left over and have just bought a 3kg ESB APA kit (Dont have much time on the weekend)

Would steeping 100g of the dark crystal and adding some extra cascade (assuming that is what the kit contains) and amarillo improve this do you think??

[Kevnlis]

Not familiar with the kit, but if your dark crystal is anything like the dark crystals I have used you may want to add a kilo of sugar as well and call it an IPA.

The Cascade and Amarillo will work well with any American hop. I would make additions at 15 min and under to fit within the specs of an American IPA.

Of course if you don't like IPA's then you will need to know more about the kit...

[drsmurto]

Any addition to a can of snot is an improvement!

cascade/amarillo is a match made in heaven. Go for it.

Never used dark crystal in an APA, normally light/med or a touch of choc but hell, why not. 100g is subtle enough as dark crystal tends to be a little roasty.

EDIT - Kevs suggestion is not bad either altho i ignore colour quite regularly when brewing APAs - some are very light and others almost dark ale in colour!

[DJ]

oooohhh, I love IPA's...

Never thought about it...


So 100g, and some extra malt/sugar and some more hops to bitter it up and we have an APA/IPA hybrid????

[Kevnlis]

I wouldn't add more malt. Maybe 250g malt and 750g dex, but there would be no need to IMHO.

The Amarillo hops will give a fair wadge of bitterness even as a 15 minute addition. Should make for a lovely drop!

[damian44]

This kit has heaps of hops in the can, but you can never have too much Cascade or Amarillo. I found the hops died down very quickly. Try and polish it off bye 10 weeks.

[DJ]

I had some left over cluster (20g or so)so threw that in for 20 mins, threw about 20g Amarillo for 10 mins and about 10-15g cascade at about 5...

Bit of a mish-mash this one, using left over's..

Oh, and steeped 100g dark crystal...


I hope its better.. I like em bitter and hoppy!

[drsmurto]

Sounds like a winner DJ, let us know how it turns out.

Which yeast did you use?

[DJ]

For a bit of a "throw-together-at-the-last-minute" I hope it is good...

used US-05..