ImperialIPA:

History,BrewingTechniques,StyleEvolution.
http://destroy.net/brewing/IIPA.pdf

NathanSmith<nate@destroy.net>
TheBrewingNetworkSundaySession
www.thebrewingnetwork.com

July6th,2008

ImperialIPA Outline

Introduction
History
CommercialExamples
ExampleRecipes
Keybrewingpoints
StyleEvolution
References
http://destroy.net/brewing/IIPA.pdf

ImperialIPA
Introduction

IntenselyhoppyverystrongAmericanPaleAle.

RelatedtoAmericanBarleywine;withoutbig/deepmaltflavorandsweetness.
Hopsatalllevels,yetclean,drinkable;notaheavysippingbeer.
Ashowcaseforhops,especiallynewhighalphaAmericanvarieties.
TheSUVofbeers KevinPratt,BJCPGrandMasterI.

BJCPcategory14Chighlights:

Aroma:Intensehoparoma(cirtus,resin,floral,low/nograssy),lowcleanmaltsweetness,low/noesters,
low/noalcohol.Nodiacetyl.
Appearance:Goldenambertomediumreddishcopper.Cleartohazy.Goodoffwhitefoamstand.
Flavor:Strong,complexhopflavor.Hightoabsurdlyhighhopbitternessbalancedwithmaltbackbone.
Lowtomediumcleanmaltflavor;lowcaramel/toastOK.Nodiacetyl.Low/nofruityesters.Long
lingeringbitternessinaftertaste.Mediumdrytodryfinish.Cleansmoothalcoholflavor.Oakis
inappropriate.SlightsulfurOK,notcommon.
Mouthfeel:Mediumlighttomediumbody.Nohopastringency.Moderatetohighcarbonation.Medium
tolowalcoholwarming.
OG:1.0701.090,FG:1.0101.020,IBU:60120,SRM:815,ABV:7.510%

AStylethatisstillevolvingandchanging!

http://destroy.net/brewing/IIPA.pdf

EnglishIPAhistory1800s

FirstbeerbrewedspecificallyforexporttoIndiabrewedbyGeorgeHodgsonin
London,1790(4).
HodgsonmonopolizedtheIndiaAleexportbusinessuntilapproximately1820(4).
Accordingtolegend,awreckedcargoin1827offtheportofLiverpoolofBass
EastIndiaPaleAlewasrescuedandfoundgreatfavorwiththelocalsthusmaking
itavailabletotheEnglishnonmilitary.
IndiaAleHoppingratesprobablyaddedupto45to60IBU's (3).
HodgsonsIndiaAlehoppedatarateof10.5oz.PerUS5gallons,approximately70
ouncesperUSbarrel.(4).
Multiplehopadditionsandlimitedcontacttimewerecommonduringwort
production:hopsonlykeptinwort for30minutesbeforebeingremoved,4
separatechargestotalanda2hourboil.
IndiaAleinthe1800swasprobablya78%beeratthetimeofexporttoIndia.
Considerableevidenceexistsintheformofsalesreceiptsandstoragemanifests
thattheproductwaswatereddownuponarrivalbeforeconsumption.
4

Amercan IPAtoImperialIPA
19941999

FirstmoderncommercialexamplefromVinnieCilurzo.InauguralbrewatBlindPigin
Temecula,CAJune1994.AgedinOakfor9monthsandfirstservedatthebrewerysfirst
anniversary.Becameanannualanniversarybrewthereafter(10).

OurbrewwasalowerABVdoubleIPA,onlylike6.60%,wedoubled thehopsandraisedthemaltbyalittle. Itwasso

bitteritwaslikelickingtherustoffatincan. WithsuchalowABVthehopsreallycamethrough. VinnieCilurzo

RougeI2PAdebutedattheOregonBrewersFestivalin1996.
StoneSecondAnniversaryAle,1998.
Eugene,OR1998SpringBeerFestivalStyle:ImperialIPA(10).

Blind Ping 2nd Anniversary 1995

Rogue I2PA 1996

Stone 2nd Anniversary 1998

ImperialIPA
GABFCommercialExamples

2001GABF:SteelheadHopasaurus Rex Gold,otherStrongAlescategory

FirstappearedasseparateGABFcategory,40in2003.
PizzaPortFrank(gold2003 silver2004)
RussianRiverPlinytheElder(GABFgold20052006,Bronze2007)
MoylansHopsickle (gold2007)

Pizza Port Frank, 2003

Russian River Pliny the Elder, 2008

Moylans Hopsickle 6

ImperialIPA
BJCPexamples

Firstappearedinthe2004guidelines,Category14C.
CommercialExamplesfromthe2008guidelines:

ThreeFloydsDreadnaught,AveryMaharaja,BellsHopSlam,StoneRuination,GreatDivide
HerculesDoubleIPA,SurlyFurious,RogueI2PA,DogfishHead90Minute,VictoryHop
Wallop.

Three Floyds Dreadnaught

Dogfish Head 90 Minute
(Original bottle)

Avery Maharaja

Rogue I2PA (current bottle)

ImperialIPA
ExampleRecipes

HomebrewtakeoffsonPlinytheElder
Nathansrecipe:onthelowerOG/FGendofthestylewithaSummitkick.
http://destroy.net/brewing/461/461_double_IPA_2008.html

McDoles recipe:onthehigherOG/FGendofthestylewithaNorthern
Brewerkick.

http://www.maltosefalcons.com/recipes/20060504.php

Considerusingtheseasastartingpoint,thenexperimentandmakeit
yourown.
Adapttoyourownequipment,rawmaterials,techniques,preferences.
Lotsofroomforcreativity.

http://destroy.net/brewing/IIPA.pdf

ImperialIPA
BrewingTips Water

ExcessMagnesiumcancausenonhopderivedastringentbitterness.
Sulfateinmoderateamountscanlendacrisp,dryfinish.Inhighamounts,
itcanhaveaharsh,saltyflavorandnegativelyimpacthoputilization.
Highcarbonatewatercangiveanimpressionofharshhopbitterness;not
tomentionnegativecolorimpact,poorprotein/tanninseparation during
hot/coldbreak.Becarefulwithconcentrationsexceeding50ppm.
Low/moderateChloride(fromCaCl,MgCl)canroundness,fullnesson
palate.Over400ppmCl canhaveapastyflavor,over500ppmitcan
negativelyinfluenceyeastactivity.
IfyoureadjustingforCaalready,considerCaSO4,CaCl orablendofthe
two.

http://destroy.net/brewing/IIPA.pdf

ImperialIPA
BrewingTips Maltandmashing

7080%Basemalt:Domestic2rowpalemajority,smallamountsofMaris
Otter,Vienna,Munich,Pils OK.1%WheatOK.
510%dextrinmalts:DomesticCrystal1040,Briess Carapils,Experiment
with12%Higherkilnedcrystal(6080L)ormaybeevenatouchofa
roastedmalt.Otherpossibilities:Victory,amber,speical roast.
Only2rowmalt,nospecialtymalts:RogueI2PA,Dogfish90minute.
Toomuchcrystalmaltmuddiesupthehopflavors,uselower%of crystal
maltsforacrisp,cleanhopflavor.Crystalmaltclasheswithbitterhop
flavors.1%crystalmaltontheElder,0%crystalmaltontheYounger
(VinnieCilurzo,TBN8/14/20052:01:37).
515%Simplesugar(corn,turbinado)todryoutthebeer,consideramash
temperaturethatpromotesbetaamylaseenzymeactivity(148152F).
MonitorpHcarefullytoavoidpolyphenol extractionduringmash&
sparge.
10
http://destroy.net/brewing/IIPA.pdf

ImperialIPA
BrewingTips Hopadditions
Hopsatalllevels
Consider:Mash,Sparge (FWH),Allstagesoftheboil,justbeforecooling(hopback),just
aftercooling,dryhopping(afterfermentation),atserving(dry hoppingintank,Randall).

Lesscommonmethods
Mashhoppingand/orFirstWort hopping
Moresuccessfulinlowhoppedbeersandwithhopsthathaveahighhumulene
content(9).
Suggestedhopadditionrateforfirstwort hoppingis30%ofthetotalkettle
program(aromaadditions)withoutfurtheradjustment(9).
TomOBrien Oneofthefirsthomebrewers creditedwithhoppingthehotliquortank.

Hop back, top view

(morebeer.com)

Hop back, side view

(morebeer.com)

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ImperialIPA
BrewingTips Hopselection
Americanhighalphaacidrecommendedforalladditions,blendfor
complexityandconsistency.
Forbittering IBUs Use7080%lowcohumulone suchasWarrior,
MagnumorHorizon;2030%roughcitrus,pepperorpinebittering hop
suchasChinook,Columbusforsomecomplexity(VinnieTBN8/13/2005
2:00:32)
Oilcontentandaromaticqualityimportanceproportionaltohowlatein
theprocessthehopisbeingused.
Makehopteaofunknownvarietiestoevaluateflavorandaroma
qualities.
Dontbeafraidtoexplore.Example:Hersbrucker usedinAlpineBrewing
PureHoppiness.

http://destroy.net/brewing/IIPA.pdf

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ImperialIPA Hoparomaandflavor
http://destroy.net/brewing/hopref.pdf

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ImperialIPA
BrewingTips Hopformats
Flowers quickdeterioration,toughtostore,lupulin inpurestform
slowerreleaseofhopoils,alittlemoresoft,wellrounded (10).
Plugs Middlegroundbetweenflowersandpellets.Veryfew,ifany
varietiesavailablecommonlytohomebrewers.
Pellets Stable,lowoxygen,goodstorage,pressureduringproduction
createsheat,oxidizessomecompounds,oilloss.Rupturedlupulin glands,
alittlemoredirect&Inyourface.Quickreleaseofacidsand potential
volatilizationofoils.Pellethopscanoxidizemorerapidlythanwhole(9).

Whole Flower, Split (14)

Non ruptured Lupulin Glands (14)

Ruptured Lupulin Gland (14)

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ImperialIPA
BrewingTips Hopextract
HopextractsAdvantages:reducedcost,storedatroomtemperature,increased
utilization,consistency,downstreamapplications(postfermentation),micro
stability.Andwithmodifiedhopextracts,improvedfoamcharacteristicsandlight
stability(9).
Hopextractsdisadvantages:flavormatching,wholehopcharacter (aroma)canbe
difficult(9).
WorldProduction%breakdown,2005estimate:35%extracts,35%pellets,10%
wholehops,25%isomerized andreducedproducts(13).

CO2 hop extract from

http://www.nzhops.co.nz
Geir Ove Grnmo, Oslo, Norway
http://blog.geirove.org

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ImperialIPA
BrewingTips DryHopping

Dryhopping=extractionofhopoils.EssentialfortheImperialIPAstyle.
Multipledryhops,uselessateachdryhoppingstage,butdryhopmorefrequently
Biggeraroma,Longerlastingaroma,Closertostickingyourheadinabagoffreshhops
(7).
PlinytheYounger Onenewdryhopaddedeachweek,4dryhopstotalovera4week
period(7).

Dryhopafterpullingtheyeast.
Dryhopwarm(6068F).
RussianRiver Blendofpelletandflowers,flowersusedmorecommonlyatthe
endofthedryhoppingprocess(7).
Recirculationorrousingthefermenter duringdryhoppingtohelppromote
extractionofoils(7).
Useolderhopsforhotsideandnewerhopsforcoldside(9).
Pullthehopsoutofthebottomoftheconeinaconicalateach dryhoppingstage
(7).

http://destroy.net/brewing/IIPA.pdf

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ImperialIPA
BrewingTips DryHopping

Youcandefinitelyoverdryhop:Harsh,vegetative,tannicflavorsandaromas(7).
Morearomaticswithashortercontacttime57daysmaxiumum (7).
FirestoneWalkeronlydryhops5daysmaximum,RussianRiver=5daydryhop
minimum(7).
FordryhoppingsuggestedthatT45pelletsgivelowervegetativematterandthe
necessarycontacttimeisreduced(9).
FirestoneWalkertheoryondryhopping:

selectionofbest(newcropyear)aromavarieties;
blendinghopsforconsistencyandcomplexity;
extractionisbetteratelevatedtemperatures;
emphasisonlowdissolvedoxygen(DO);
removalofyeastplugpriortodryhopping;
rousingwithCO2tohelpcontrolDO;shortcontacttime(34days);sanitarytechnique;
blendingofbeersatfinish(9).

http://destroy.net/brewing/IIPA.pdf

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ImperialIPA
Brewingtips Dryhopping

Dryhoppinginthekeg
Screenorfilterontheendofthediptube.
Hooksorhandlesontheinsideoftheservingtanktoholdahop bag:RussianRiver
Youngerishoppedintheservingtankusingthismethod.
Postkegdryhopping=Randall.EastCoastvs.WestCoastrivalryamongstprofessional
brewers.

BuildyourownfromGeir Ove Grnmo,Oslo,Norway

http://blog.geirove.org/2007/03/buildingyourownrandall.html

Corny Keg Lid with hop bag

hook (morebeer.com)

Carboy hop weight

http://destroy.net/brewing/IIPA.pdf

Randall
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ImperialIPA
HopChemistry

Aromaticcompoundsboundtoglucosewhichmaybereleasedlater. Thisprocessreferred
toasglucanization.ResearchbyTomShellhammer atUCDavis.
Hopscontainthousandsofchemicals:DuringGaschromatographyanalysisofhopsat45
minutesofretentiontimetheprocessisstillidentifyingcompounds(Colin,BrewingNetwork
wethopshow10/21/20071:13:00).
MaximumIBUfora5%beer=120ppm=80IBU(12).
Asalcoholandunfermentedcarbohydrateinthebeerincreases,sodoestheabilityofthe
beertocarrymoreIBU.Somebarleywinesmayhaveover100IBU. (12),MitchSteele.
Otherconsiderations:LargeamountsofIsoalpha acidadherestotheyeastcell;measured
IBUgoesupwhilepercieved bitternessgoesdownduetodissolutionofalphaacids(9).
5.4pHforwort andsubsequentbeerdeterminedasoptimalpHforbestbitternesscharacter
(5.2foroverallstability).
After90minutesofboling,isoalphaacidsstarttobreakdowntoHumulonic acid(9).

http://destroy.net/brewing/IIPA.pdf

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ImperialIPA
HopOils:FlavorsandAromas
Monoterpenoids (associatedwithfreshdryhoparoma)(9)

Myrcene:spicy,petroleum
Linalool:floral,citrus
Geraniol:floral,rose
Limonene:citrus,fruity
Terpineol:woody,resinous
Nerolidol:rose,apple,woody
BetaPinene:spicy,piney
Cirtral:citrus,lemon
Cadinene:citrus

Sesquiterpenoids (whenoxidized,associatedwithnoblehoparoma),
woody,resinlike.(9)

AlphaHumulene
BetaCaryophyllene
BetaFarnesene
Humulene Epoxide
http://destroy.net/brewing/IIPA.pdf

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ImperialIPA
FermentationConsiderations

YeastSelection:Clean,neutralCaliforniaAleyeastrecommended.
Wyeast 1056orWhiteLabs001.

Hoplikefermentationbyproducts:
Appleester:Ethylalcohol+aceticacid=ethylacetate(13).
Pearester:Hexyl alcohol+aceticacid=hexyl acetate(13).
Pineappleester:Ethylalcohol+butyricacid=ethylbutyrate(13).

LimonenefromhopsandH2Sfromfermentationgivesadistinctgrapefruit
aroma.Limonenecontent=grapefruitaromaintensityinthefinished
beer.SierraNevadaBrewingCompany(14).

http://destroy.net/brewing/IIPA.pdf

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ImperialIPA
FermentationSchedule

Example:RussianRiverWLP001Fermentationanddryhopschedule(7).
WhiteLabs00167daysprimary68F,sealupthetank,sitfor24hours.
diacetyl restat68F,dropthetemperatureto52Ffor2daystopullthe yeast
out.001hastroubledroppingoutattemperaturesabove52F.
Directcorrelationonmorearomaandlessyeastinsolutionwhen dry
hopping.
Pullasmuchyeastashasflocculatedoutofthebottomoftheconical,dothe
firstdryhop.
shutoffglycoltoletthetemperatureslowlyrisebackupto68F.
12daydryhoptotalonPlinytheElder;RRIPA=6dayswarm,Elder=10days
warm.
2daysbeforetransferring,temperaturedroppedto32Ftogetthehopsto
settleout(IPAandESBthishappensatday8,Elder,thishappensatday12)
(7).
http://destroy.net/brewing/IIPA.pdf

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ImperialIPA
Evaluation

Freshconsumptioncriticaltoinsurethatthevolatilehoparoma andflavor
ispresent.
Dontletthisbeersitwarm,beverycarefulwithlightandO2exposure.
MikeMcDoles 6weekuntilpeakrecommendation.
Minimumof100mLtogetaccuratehopinterpretationtobeableto
discernadhumulone/cohumulone bitterness;Corvalis Hop
convention/summit(ColinKaminski.,10/21/2007TBNshow).

http://destroy.net/brewing/IIPA.pdf

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ImperialIPA
StyleEvolution Whatsnextforhoppybeers?
SmallIPAs
McDoles TinyPliny
21st AmendmentBitterAmerican.3.6%ABV,40IBU

Herb/spicechemicalcompoundflavormatching
Rosemary:myrcene,pinene
GrainsofParadise:caryophyllene,humulene,linalool
Coriander:limonene,pinene,linalool

NewUShops(RalphOlson,HopUnion,HopshortageTBNshow9/2007):
Glacier(Fugglelike) Willammette,Tettnang,Styrian Golding5.5%AA,Lowcohumulone,good
yield,highMyrcene.
Sterling Saaz andMt.Hoodhybrid.Saazlikereplacement.69%AA.
Apollo Unknown
Palisade(MildCascadelike) YakimaChiefproprietary5.59.5%AA,lowmyrcene,20%
humulene.
OthernewhopsoutoftheSimcoe/Ahtanum programatYakimaChief?

Nontraditionalyeast BelgianAleYeast
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References
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.

2008BJCPguidelines,www.bjcp.org
BrewersAssociationhttp://www.beertown.org/events/gabf
LondonandCountryBrewer,SecondEdition.PrintedforMelliurs FoxattheHalfMoonandSeven
Stars,WestminsterHall,1736.
PaleAle,SecondEdition.TerryFoster,BrewersPublications,1999.
KevinPratt,Emailconversations.
PorterMythsandMysteriesBreweryHistory112pp.3140
http://www.breweryhistory.com/journal/archive/112/bh112031.html
TheBrewingNetwork6/26/2005VinnieCilurzo dryhoppinglecturefromtheBaltimore,MDNHC
2005.
VinnieCilurzo,Emailconversations.
TheNewBrewerVolume23,Number6.TheEternalQuestfortheUltimateHopImpact byMatthew
R.Brynildson (p.2229)
TheNewBrewerVolume21,Number1.DoubleIPAs CreateAWholeNewCategoryIntheHumulone
Derby byJimParker(p.2833)
http://www.homebrewchef.com/ColdFusionDoubleAmarilloIPARecipe.html
FortheLoveofHops StanHieronymusAllAboutBeerMagazine,Volume24Number6,January
2004http://www.allaboutbeer.com/features/246doubleIPA.html
Humulus Lupulus:HoppingforFlavorandAroma MatthewR.Brynildson,MichiganBrewersGuild
andMBAADistrictMichiganWinterConference
DOZEStyleTalk ImperialIPA 6/30/2008

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