SMASH for hop self education

[Galena]

I have decided to brew a few 10litre batches of ale to try and learn the characteristics of different hops, which at the moment I am pretty useless at.
I was wondering what you think of my basic recipe and if it will be good for this or if I need to make it more hop forward?

Currently I have 4 varieties to brew, Challenger, EKG, Fuggles and Citra

The basic recipe is for an easy drinking summer/blonde type of beer with a low IBU and each hop I expect to adjust to get the same IBU

2.04Kg Maris Otter

3.4g Citra @ 60
3.3g Citra @ 15
11.9g Citra @ 20 minute Hopstand at 80 deg

OG 1.040 FG 1.011 ABV 3.8% IBU 21 BU:GU 0.52

Yeast WLP 005

Water Profile (based on Palmers Blonde Ale recipe)

Ca 96 Mg8 Cl 126 SO4 76 HCO3 18

 

[BeerCat]

You could try hopping at 15m, 5m and flameout. Adjust the IBU's accordingly. Its called hop bursting if you want to look it up. Citra SMASH is a great beer.

 

[Galena]

You could try hopping at 15m, 5m and flameout. Adjust the IBU's accordingly. Its called hop bursting if you want to look it up. Citra SMASH is a great beer.

Is that with no 60 minute addition?

 

[Gerryjo]

Is that with no 60 minute addition?

Yes just reduces the bitterness but intensifies the hop aroma and flavour of the actual hop.

 

[Galena]

Yes just reduces the bitterness but intensifies the hop aroma and flavour of the actual hop.

Thanks, I shall give that a try then, do you think my chosen water profile which is currently SO4/Cl ratio of 0.6 will be okay for tasting the hops or should I go more in favour of sulfide?

 

[Gerryjo]

Thanks, I shall give that a try then, do you think my chosen water profile which is currently SO4/Cl ratio of 0.6 will be okay for tasting the hops or should I go more in favour of sulfide?

I normally use brewers friend and would select the hoppy profile then adjust my water accordingly.

 

[Galena]

I normally use brewers friend and would select the hoppy profile then adjust my water accordingly.

Thanks, I use Brewfather which doesn't have that option but I have checked against Brewers Friend so could use that in Brewfather, Palmer has his Blonde Beer water profile more malt forward, but I guess I should go hop forward for this.

 

[Gerryjo]

Thanks, I use Brewfather which doesn't have that option but I have checked against Brewers Friend so could use that in Brewfather, Palmer has his Blonde Beer water profile more malt forward, but I guess I should go hop forward for this.

Well if its just the hops yes but with both malt and hops you could try a balanced profile which will let both come through.

 

[Galena]

Well if its just the hops yes but with both malt and hops you could try a balanced profile which will let both come through.

Good idea, cheers