Ibu's

[muthead]

Hi Guys,

Bit of a noob question but if you don't ask you don't know!

When people talk about certain IBU's in recipes what does that actually mean and how do you achieve & measure the required IBU's?

Cheers,
Mut

 

[Supra-Jim]

IBU's refer to the bitterness, or perceived bitterness of a beer. International Bitterness Units.

See here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beer_measurement#By_bitterness

Bascially this comes from hops. We calculate an approximate bitterness based on the Alpha acid content of hops (AA%, time boiled and quantity).

Cheers SJ

 

[earle]

Be aware that calculated IBU's and the perceived bitterness that you taste can be quite different. Two brews can have the same calculated IBU but the one with lots of residual sweetness from unfermented malt sugars will taste less bitter. Its all about balance.

 

[Lecterfan]

Warmbeer's post in this link has a link which takes you to the brew strong episode where Jamil explains how to use the concept of IBU's with your own set up and you get good info from Glenn Tinseth who created (one of the most) predominant hop calculations.

Sort of the long way around, but...err...you know, whatever...

 

[muthead]

Thanks all, appreciated