This is my second time trying the Sea Hag recipe, and it's just...awful. Waaayyyyy too sourthe vinegar is overwhelmingly strong, I almost choked on this crap. I did a batch with apple cider vinegar and a batch with malt vinegar. I preferred the apple cider, but both batches were inedible. What a waste. Are most people using the Sea Hag recipe or the second version (which seems better b/c it has a lot of water added, which you need IMO)??
disclaimer: I've made lots of batches of pickles and they always come out great. I may have to abandon "IPA pickles" altogether.
You can safely add sugar to taste. It will balance the acidic flavor.