Cloak of Darkness IIPA

[de3isit]

I would like to get some feedback on a black IIPA I am looking to brew this week end. It is my very loose interpretation of Dubhe Imperial Black IPA

16 lbs Pale Malt (2 Row) US (2.0 SRM) Grain 1 79.0 %
1 lbs 8.0 oz Caramel/Crystal Malt - 80L (80.0 SRM) Grain 2 7.4 %
1 lbs 8.0 oz Munich (10.2 SRM) Grain 3 7.4 %
12.0 oz Chocolate Malt (350.0 SRM) Grain 4 3.7 %
8.0 oz Carafa III (525.0 SRM) Grain 5 2.5 %
1.00 oz Chinook [13.00 %] - Boil 90.0 min Hop 6 33.5 IBUs
1.50 oz Columbus (Tomahawk) [14.00 %] - Boil 30.0 minHop 7 38.9 IBUs
1.00 Items Whirlfloc Tablet (Boil 15.0 mins) Fining 8 -
1.00 oz Columbus (Tomahawk) [14.00 %] - Boil 5.0 min Hop 9 6.7 IBUs
1.00 oz Warrior [15.00 %] - Boil 5.0 min Hop 10 7.2 IBUs
1.00 oz Warrior [15.50 %] - Boil 0.0 min Hop 11 0.0 IBUs
1.0 pkg California Ale (White Labs #WLP001) [35.49 ml]Yeast 12 -
Beer Profile
Est Original Gravity: 1.090 SG Measured Original Gravity: 1.046 SG
Est Final Gravity: 1.023 SG Measured Final Gravity: 1.010 SG
Estimated Alcohol by Vol: 9.0 % Actual Alcohol by Vol: 4.7 %
Bitterness: 86.3 IBUs Calories: 151.6 kcal/12oz
Est Color: 36.7 SRM

Thanks in advance for all of your input.

 

[rcsoccer]

Looks pretty good to me, except I would drop the 30 minute addition and add some more to the bittering addition at 90 mins to get the right IBUs. In my opinion I don't think 30 minute additions do much, especially in darker beers like this one. I would also add more hops at flameout or dry-hop with something like Centennial, Cascade, or Citra (maybe 2 oz.). I've made black IPAs with these late additions and some roasted barley and the aroma still comes out.

Good luck!

 

[kingwood-kid]

To me, the hop schedule is upside-down. I'd use the Warrior for bittering and the Chinook & Columbus for flavor and aroma, along with the citrusy hops rcsoccer suggested.

 

[de3isit]

thanks for the input guys.

 

[dcp27]

thats a bit too much dark malt & crystal for a black IIPA. i'd ditch the chocolate and keep the crystal <1lb.

you really should at least double those late hops too. personally, i think the warrior is fine to use late, but chinook does go better with the roast

 

[DonMagee]

I say keep the chocolate malt. I used 8oz in mine and it gave it a nice subtle roasted flavor.