A Taste of the Hoppy Life: Meet Bret Barker
Brewing Your Own Rye IPA with Better Brewing Bureau's Guidance
Brewing beers since 2009 and belonging to the local Mashing Maineiacs club in Portland, Maine, Bret Barker is a seasoned homebrewer with a penchant for sessionable brews, like Pale Ales, Session IPAs, Dark Milds, and Belgian Wits.
The Beer of Choice: Imperial IPA
Over the years, Bret has perfected the malt bill for his signature IPA recipe but never shies away from experimenting with different hops and yeast for each batch. This one uses Mosaic and Centennial for late additions and can also be brewed to vary from as low as 4.1% to a punchy 6.7%.
Rye of the Beholder: The Recipe
Ingredients
- 5.4 lbs 2 Row Base Malt
- 4 lbs Vienna Malt
- 2.25 lbs Rye Malt
- 1 lbs Caramel 120
- 1 oz Acidulated Malt
- Boil hops: 1.8 oz Cascade: First Wort Hop
- Boil hops: 1.2 oz Cascade: 5 min
- Boil hops: 0.8 oz Centennial: 5 min
- Boil hops: 0.8 oz Mosaic: 5 min
- Boil hops: 1.2 oz Centennial: Hopstand
- Boil hops: 1.2 oz Mosaic: Hopstand
- Dry hops: 1 oz Cascade: Day 3
- Dry hops: 1.5 oz Centennial (Lupomax): Day 3
- Omega OYL-091 Hornindal Kveik
Instructions
- BATCH SIZE: 5 gal
- OG: 1.058
- FG: 1.011
- IBU: 64
- ABV: 6.2%
- EFFICIENCY: 70%
- MASH TEMP: 152 oF
- BOIL: 60 min
- FERMENTATION: 65oF -75oF 8 days
- SYSTEM: Spike Solo
Cheers!,
Bret Barker - Better Brewing Bureau
Hop Talk: All About IPAs
Hop-forward brews, IPAs (India Pale Ales) have soared in popularity in recent years, recognized for their distinctive bold and bitter flavors. Brewed with potent hops, IPAs come in various subcategories, like Double/Imperial IPAs and Wheat/White IPAs, each boasting unique characteristics and hop profiles.
In addition to the standard IPA, other popular IPA subcategories include:
Double/Imperial IPA
- These stronger versions of traditional IPAs emphasize bold hop flavors and aromas, often with citrusy, piney, or resinous notes.
- Typically have higher alcohol content, more intense hop bitterness, and richer malt profiles.
Wheat/White IPA
- Incorporating a significant proportion of wheat, these brews have a lighter body and a hazy appearance.
- The flavor profiles often include citrus and spice, offering a softer, smoother mouthfeel compared to traditional IPAs.
Discover the diversity of IPAs for yourself!
References
[1] King, R. E., & Vought, B. M. (2012). A microbial perspective on how yeast affect beer flavor. Comprehensive reviews in food science and food safety, 11(6), 718-739.
[2] Weiss, R., & Schwarz, E. (2014). Aroma and flavor of beer: Impact on beer preferences and sensory drinking behavior. Journal of sensory studies, 30(1), 105-114.
[3] De toqueville, D., Spiteri, D., & Carpenter, D. (2004). Variations in stratified wort: Effects on yeast flocculation and fermentation performance. Journal of the Institute of Brewing, 110(2), 97-104.
[4] Nachman, G. P. (2004). Fundamentals of brewing, 3rd ed. Blackwell Pub.
- Bret Barker, a seasoned homebrewer, experiments with different gadgets and technology, like smartphones, to refine his craft beer recipes and share them on the Better Brewing Bureau platform.
- In addition to his signature IPA, Bret Barker also offers food-and-drink enthusiasts recipes for cooking unique dishes that complement his hoppy brews.
- Embracing the hoppy lifestyle, Bret Barker's love for brewing extend beyond craft beer, as he shares insights on food-and-drink pairings, smartphone apps for recipe development, and cooking techniques as a part of his overall lifestyle.
- The diversity of IPAs continues to captivate food-and-drink enthusiasts, as they explore various subcategories like Double/Imperial IPAs and Wheat/White IPAs, enhancing their culinary skills and expanding their taste in food-and-drink experiences.
