Pliny clone question

[Charlie]

Anybody made a Pliny clone from the Zymurgy recipe? I know we had some errata, but considering that I haven't plugged it into the beer proggie yet (the 275 IBU kind'a threw me!).

If you've done the Pliny let us know what you did, and how it turned out.

Charlie ( is making his SNPA clone this weekend)

[yodalegomaster]

I just sampled both pliney and osker blues gordon, for my money the osker blues gordon was better. They both have alot of flavor from late addition hops. To me the flavor hoping late makes the beer almost sweet, it's not a sugar sweet, but a very pleasant hop sweetness. I really don't care for Cascade hops, which is what pliney is based on. I do love the centennial and the amerailo hops, so the gordon which is based on amerillo dry hops just seems heavenly to me.

To add my 2-cents to your question, According to most chemists, it's chemically impossible to go above 92 IBU. It just doesn't matter after that point, it's as bitter as it's going to get. On the other hand hops bring other flavors to the party not just bitterness. The Hops sweetness like I talk about above, in massive amounts like Avery marahaij it turns grassy. The hop oils from German magnum are another side flavor I seem to love.

I think my point is that bitterness is only one of the things that hops brings to beer, there are lots of other flavors that come along for the ride when you go for large amounts of late hoping. A proven recipe like Pliney is a great start to get you in the right ballpark, then it's up to you to fine tune it to what you like.

[BigNastyBrew]

Thanks, bro. I guess I knew the flavor was there but wasn't looking at that. I was looking at the >200 IBU aspect and wondering how and why.

I like the Magnums too. I brewed an IPA in May that I used Magnums as my 10 minute additions.

[portlandhophead]

I really don't care for Cascade hops, which is what pliney is based on. I do love the centennial and the amerailo hops, so the gordon which is based on amerillo dry hops just seems heavenly to me.

Haven't had the Gordon, but I don't think Pliny is made with Cascade at all. Hmmm. Vinnie is pretty open about sharing his hop bill with people, and last check he used Chinook, Warrior, Simcoe and Columbus.

I will try the Gordon. As overdone as Amarillo is starting to get, I still love the spiciness of that hop.

[Tom from Raleigh]

I've had both Gordon and Pliny. Gordon is no Pliny. I had Pliny on tap at the Toranado San Diego. It was really different. The hop flavor was so present it was like drinking fruit juice with a firm, but not overwhelming bitterness. Vinnie is clearly an alien. His beers are on a different level. That being said, I prefer Green Flash West Coast IPA.

[Brandt]

I've had both Gordon and Pliny. Gordon is no Pliny. I had Pliny on tap at the Toranado San Diego. It was really different. The hop flavor was so present it was like drinking fruit juice with a firm, but not overwhelming bitterness. Vinnie is clearly an alien. His beers are on a different level. That being said, I prefer Green Flash West Coast IPA.

+1
I think Pliny is unparalleled. My first impression was that it was so smooth, it couldn't possibly have all the hops I knew it to contain. I've had many, lesser strength IPA's whre the bitterness will kick you in the junk. And not in a good way.