Episode 104: The Hidden Secrets of New England IPA
Aug 21, 2023
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John Paul Maye discusses results from the analysis of haze in a dozen New England IPAs, including the trapping of non-polar hop compounds to create unique flavors. Also explores foam stability, grain bill and hop usage, and the use of beta acids to create a stable haze in beer.
The haze in New England IPAs traps non-polar hop compounds, creating unique flavors.
Haze stability in New England IPAs varies and requires further investigation.
Deep dives
The Characteristics of New England IPAs
New England IPAs are known for their hazy appearance, low bitterness, and intense hop flavor. The beer style typically uses a high protein adjunct like oats or wheat, which complex with polyphenols to create haze-forming complexes. Unlike wheat beers that are bottle conditioned, New England IPAs are not. The grain bill and hop utilization in New England IPAs are also unique, with little to no hops added in the brew kettle and a heavy emphasis on dry hopping during active fermentation. Craft brewers often add several pounds of hops per barrel to enhance flavor and aroma.
Analysis of Hop Compounds in New England IPAs
Analysis of hop compounds in New England IPAs revealed interesting findings compared to traditional West Coast IPAs. New England IPAs had lower concentrations of iso-alpha acids, the compounds responsible for bitterness, but higher concentrations of other hop compounds like humulonones and alpha acids. Beta acids, which are generally not found in beer, were present in New England IPAs at low levels. The concentration of hop compounds varied depending on the beer, but removing the haze from the beer resulted in a significant decrease in the concentration of non-polar hop compounds. The haze in New England IPAs acts as an emulsifier, solubilizing and keeping these compounds in solution.
Haze Stability and Foam Characteristics
Haze stability and foam characteristics were also examined in New England IPAs. The beers exhibited high turbidity, ranging from 80 to 900 NTUs, with higher turbidity correlated to higher concentrations of hop compounds like mercene and xanthohumol. However, the haze in New England IPAs was not very stable, with a significant decrease in haze within the first month or two after packaging. The presence of protein and alpha acids in New England IPAs contributed to foam stability and enhancement. The relationship between haze concentration, protein content, and stability requires further investigation.
John Paul Maye discusses results from the analysis of haze in a dozen New England IPAs and how the haze traps non-polar hop compounds to create the unique flavors of this beer style. This work was recently presented at the 2018 Brewing Summit, where Dr. Maye was awarded best presentation.