If you're going to go with a Reaper, go for broke. A few years ago I did 5 gallons split 5 ways
Each in one gallon:
- 3 Jalapenos
- 3 Serranos
- 1 Habanero
- 1 Bhut Jolokia/Ghost Pepper
- 1 Jalapeno, 1 Serrano, 1 Habanero, 1 Bhut/Ghost
The one with all 4 peppers was overkill (if you've had Ghost Face Killah, it was substantially hotter than that), but the one with the whole Bhut plenty hot, but manageable enough that most people could stomach it. The one with all 4, only serious pepper heads could take it.
So point is, I think if you go with one pepper per gallon, you'll probably be in good shape.
As for me, three batches in the fermenter over the blizzard weekend. I'll racking these into casks and then repitching from them (the Pale Mild most likely) into another three in a couple weeks.
- Wheat Dark Mild
- WGV Bitter
- Wheat English IPA