Higher Animal Brewing's Cool Cat IPL
Brewing an India Pale Lager with Enhanced Animal-derived Fermentation Process
Craft beer lovers, meet Higher Animal Brewing, the trio of Jason, Don, and Chad who're brewing up a storm for a 2023 release of their chill taproom. We're talking about a laid-back hangout where you'll enjoy top-notch beers, and boy, do they know their stuff!
The ambitious duo of Trio and CF15 brewing systems in Higher Animal Brewing's lineup has got them fired up. With their precise control over mash and fermentation temperatures, it's no wonder they're creating brews unrivaled in flexibility.
The Star of the Show: Cool Cat IPL
The summertime's sesh beer you've been yearning for? It's here! Called "I Demand a Playdate," this India Pale Lager (IPL) was named after a conversation between Jason's daughter, Willa, and one of her pals. This spirited little lady proclaimed to Nate, "I demand a playdate!" and that's just the spark the brew team needed!
No frills, no fuss - that's the approach they took with this one. The IPL formula boasts a 1.33 liquor-to-grist ratio. In they fling 7 lbs 2-Row, 7 lbs 6-Row, 3 lbs Flaked Rice, and 3 lbs Flaked Corn, all seasoned with 7 g calcium chloride and 5 g gypsum for the water profile. Mash in, and BAM!
The Recipe: I Demand a Playdate
Ingredients
- GRAIN:
- 8 lbs 2-Row
- 8 lbs 6-Row
- 3 lbs Flaked Rice
- 3 lbs Flaked Corn
- HOPS:
- Boil hops: 1 oz Hallertauer Mittelfruh (1 hour)
- Boil hops: 1 oz Hallertauer Mittelfruh (30 minutes)
- Dry hops: 8 oz El Dorado (5-7 days)
- YEAST:
- Saflager W-34/70
Instructions
Batch Size: 12 gal
OG: 1.054
FG: 1.011
IBU: 10.6
ABV: 5.6%
EFFICIENCY: 83%
MASH TEMP: 150°F
BOIL: 60 min
FERMENTATION: 66°F - 1.5-2 weeks
SYSTEM: Trio
Proposition-TInformation:
Top Tips From the Brewers:
- Flaked grain should be separated from the 2-row and 6-row. Don't crush the flaked grains; just layer them on top of the mash after mash-in.
- If you've never tried fermenting 34/70 at ale temps, hold on tight, because this beer will ferment out in about 4 days total. With this in mind, we add our dry hops on day 2.
- After fermentation is complete, we wait 3-5 days for the yeast to do its clean-up duties. Then, we crash & carb, add finings if desired, and keg. All done in less than 2 weeks!
- Maintaining that 66°F fermentation temp is essential because increasing it towards 70° can dry this beer out more than they like.
- Get creative with the dry hopping and switch it up with Citra, Mosaic, or whatever tickles your fancy. If brewing 6 gallons, just split everything in half. Happy brewing!
Cheers!
For all you brew enthusiasts, stay tuned for more fabulous tips as you perfect your brewing craft. And remember, Happy Brewing!
Jason, Don, and Chad from Higher Animal Brewing
Spiked Takeaways: All About India Pale Lagers
India Pale Lagers: The Game Changer
India Pale Lagers (IPLs) are a brewing revolution, mashing together the best of two beer worlds - the exuberant hoppy elements of an India Pale Ale (IPA) and the crisp, smooth simplicity of a Lager. And you know what? This hybrid style has more than earned its spot in the craft beer scene with its unique and intricate flavor profile!
What Sets IPL apart?
The secret ingredient in IPLs is the remarkable balance they strike between a robust hop intensity and a polished Lager finish, a combo that is rare in other beer categories.
The Brewing Process: Secret Sauce
Though using similar ingredients as IPAs, IPLs go through the Lager fermentation process, with cooler temperatures involved. The striking characteristics of an IPL are forged through primary fermentation at lower temperatures, followed by an extended period of cold conditioning or "Lagering.”
The Birth of India Pale Lagers
The IPL beer style itself is a young bone in the beer world, emerging from the bold and innovative American craft beer scene in the early 2000s.
The IPA Legacy
You can trace the origin of the IPL back to the popularity of IPAs and brewers' desires to infuse their hoppiness into something lighter and crisper, hence the advent of the IPL.
Tasting an IPL
Indulging in an IPL means you embark on an epic flavor adventure. Your journey begins with a potent hop bitterness, reminiscent of the IPA sensation, but then transitions seamlessly into the clean, crisp Lager finish we all know and love. A lingering, refreshing conclusion awaits you!
Mastering the Art of Brewing an IPL
- The Power of Hops: IPLs rely heavily on the use of punchy hops, with varieties promising flavors ranging from citrus, pine, or even tropical fruits.
- Yeast and Malt: Stick with lager yeast and a balanced malt base, featuring options like Pilsner, Vienna, or Munich malts.
Fresh, Fearless, and Fabulous
You can enjoy an IPL year-round; its light, effervescent, Lager lifestyle fits snugly in both warm and cool seasons, while the hop-forward action ensures the party never stops.
Chucking the Numbers
IPLs generally have alcohol by volume (ABV) between 5.5% to 7%, with the brewing process yielding an average efficiency of 83%.
The IPL Melting Pot
With the massive wave of IPL experiments, you'll find a plethora of chosen flavors descending upon the IPL realm, depending on the brewery's whimsy. Try it—you might fall in love with a fruity, spicy, coffee-infused version!
In the Glass
Perfectly balanced at 50-55°F, the IPL's complex flavor profile shines in all its glory. A beer glass with a tapered top (like a Belgian beer glass) is the ideal vessel for delivering the most sensational aroma and frothy head.
Setting the Table
For beginners yearning to dip their toes into the artful world of craft beers, IPLs offer an inviting invitation, blending a satisfying hop kick with the easy-drinking, refreshing qualities of Lagers.
The Colossal Clash of American IPL vs. the Rest
American IPLs, brewed with American hops boasting assertive, citrusy, and piney flavors, make a bold statement in the IPL world.
The Bottom Line
From the gleeful, let-loose spirit of the craft beer revolution to the ambitious, fearless spirit of innovative brewers, IPLs have found a passionate niche among the brewing crowd—and rightly so!
Can I brew an IPL at home?
Whack on your apron and dive into homebrewing an IPL! The process involves generously employing hops equivalent to an IPA recipe, but fermenting with Lager yeast at a cooler temperature. The key to success is mastering the fermentation process.
Have you heard of IPL events or festivals?
IPLs are standout showcased at craft beer festivals, where events like the Great American Beer Festival, Craft Brewers Conference, and local beer brawls let you sample a range of fabulous IPLs.
Can IPLs be aged in oak barrels?
Though IPLs are best savored fresh to preserve their hop aromas and flavors, some adventurous brewers experiment with oak barrel aging, adding flavors like vanilla, oak, or bourbon to the mix.
What impact does the hop variety have on the flavor of an IPL?
The hop variety plays a significant role in shaping the flavor profile of an IPL. Different hop strains contribute diverse flavors, ranging from citrus, pine, or tropical fruits, leaving plenty of room for brewers to get imaginative with their concoctions.
- Craft enthusiasts can compare notes on their latest gadgets while sipping a Crisp Cool Cat IPL, made with El Dorado hops, during a brewery tour.
- Technology-savvy brewers might be intrigued by Higher Animal Brewing's efficient Trio brewing system, as they prepare their next batch of an India Pale Lager on a smartphone app.
