Does it really need all those hops?

[teamtom]

I brewed a batch of Pliny clone and for the record, it is awesome. Now...according to my computer calculations, the IBU's were "estimated" at 325.2 (love the .2) but while listening to the Jamil IIPA archive, Pliny was tested around the upper 60's in IBU's with Hop Suey (sp?) being the only higher one and tasted decent. Now, if you are only getting say...60 IBU's, do you really need all those hop additions or could that be scaled back and the same flavor and aroma and bittering be accomplished with less than 2 lbs. of hops? Are those additions just there to be novel or does every single little pellet need to be there to make this awesome ale?

BTW...this is probably the most value per batch I can think of. I can't get Pliny in Maryland but Rogue wants $13 a 750 ml bottle for their IIPA, for doulbe to triple that, you can have A LOT more incredible homebrew.

[Bugeater]

I brewed the Pliny clone a few months ago. I think Promash showed my version at about 280 IBU. You really don't get any bittering past 100 IBU. However, that does not mean you can cut back the hops. Those extra hops do add to the flavor, that incredible hop complexity that makes Pliny so nice. I normally only make 5 gallon batches of beer. Next time I do Pliny I will definitely have to brew a 10 gallon batch. That first one disappeared waaaay too fast!

Wayne
Bugeater Brewing Company

[speed]

I made a pliny for the first time and it is in the secondary right now,pulled a sample tonight and i have to say OMG, this is going to be one fanstastic beer.

[jamilz]

Don't cut back on the hops.

Hops are SOOOO much more than bittering.

You really need every last bit of those hops. What is really cool about that recipe is you don't need to worry about the alpha acid content of the hops. Just get the particular variety and the specific amount and toss them in.

[shane]

the only hop additions i'd think of touching are the mash hops and maybe cutting down on the warrior 90 min addition. i go back and forth with the mash hops, but i can't ever tell the difference when i don't use them.

btw, you'd be surprised at the IBU loss during fermentation, it's probably 30 - 40% for a beer like pliny.