[blatz]

Really loved the Galaxy hopped commercial beers I've had in the past, so I just got a few lbs of galaxy in and want to experiment with it. 

I'm not a SMASH kind of guy, or even a SH type since I like layering complexity of hop aroma and flavor.

Anyway, thinking of bittering with a high alpha, then at using the following combination all the way through including dryhop:

Galaxy, El Dorado and Columbus

I definitely want Galaxy in there (duh), and also would consider:

Cascade
Chinook
Centennial
Ahtanum
Mosaic
Calypso
Citra
Crystal
Liberty

I have tons of simcoe and some amarillo, but I really want to steer clear of these hops since I use them so often in everything else.

Thoughts?

[HoosierBrew]

I think Galaxy, Columbus and almost anything would be good. One of the Stone Enjoy By IPAs from last year used Galaxy and Nelson, and it was fantastic - one of the best IPAs I've ever had. That gets my top vote. Haven't tried El Dorado yet, but I think anything else on that list would be great.

[rapurcell85]

I just tapped a galaxy and cascade hopped APA. It came out fantastic. I am thinking about doing a galaxy centennial blend for my next go around.

[fmader]

I'm probably going to attempt to clone Kona Big Wave Golden Ale for my next brew. Their website says they hop with galaxy and citra. I told myself that I wasn't going to buy anymore hops again this year (back in April lol), but I didn't have any galaxy or ever used it. And of course, I was out of Citra. Bam! 5 oz of each came in the mail yesterday. This being a golden ale, I don't see me using much more than an ounce or two of either of these hops. Keep me informed of what you choose to use it with and if it worked for you!

[erockrph]

Everything goes better with Mosaic. From your list I'd go Galaxy, Mosaic, Citra and either Centennial or Columbus depending on whether I wanted to go full-on fruit bomb, or if I wanted to bring out a bit more dank.

[blatz]

ok - so given what I'm hearing...this will be the next-next brew, so i can always change, but I'm thinking:

1.065/75 ibus

70% 2 row
25% MO
5% C-15L
mash @ 150-152df

Warrior for bittering
2oz each Galaxy and Mosaic @ 20min
2oz each Galaxy, Mosaic & CTZ @ 0 - whirlpool at 180df for 30 min

2oz each Galaxy, Mosaic and CTZ dryhop 10 days

[HoosierBrew]

Looks great !

[bluesman]

Looks great !

+1

I'm curious to learn how this turns out Paul. Let us know after you try it.

[blatz]

so long as my oktoberfest is ready to be kegged, I am brewing this one this weekend.  will keep you posted!

[blatz]

Looks great !

+1

I'm curious to learn how this turns out Paul. Let us know after you try it.

turned out great - very oily, resinous and tropical fruity with some faint citrus.  I think the Galaxy is a bit overpowering and while I think its a great hop, I think i am going to not use it as heavy handed going forward. Served at a festival and some folks said they preferred it over my regular house IPA, though I did not.

Am planning on doing an amber ale next weekend with the following:

12 Gal
1.056 OG
40IBUs
60% Rahr 2 row
30% Weyermann Munich I
10% English med Crystal
**possibly a few ounces of pale chocolate to get the SRM ~11-12

60 min Magnum for bittering
10 min 2oz Cascade, 2oz Galaxy
0 min  3oz Cascade 2oz Galaxy

Optional dryhop - dependent on aroma post fermentation - 2oz Cascade/1oz Galaxy

or maybe I use Citra instead of Cascade...

[beersk]

Sounds pretty, pretty, pretttttttyy good, Paul. I have some Galaxy to use, perhaps I will try your aforementioned combination.

[mabrungard]

I agree with your move to the Medium Eng crystal. That is more in line with the flavors I find in a PA than that really pale crystal you mentioned in your early post.

[blatz]

I agree with your move to the Medium Eng crystal. That is more in line with the flavors I find in a PA than that really pale crystal you mentioned in your early post.

cool - the really pale crystal above was for a different recipe (West Coast style IPA).  I agree with your assessment regarding PAs though - english medium is just right.  I brewed the above on Saturday and it turned out perfect - hit everything.  Color is about 12 and just on that grey area between amber and pale.  I think its going to be a good one - the aroma of Galaxy and Cascade in the whirlpool was just what i'd hope for.

[blatz]

update:

i kegged the amber ale (recipe 4 posts above) this weekend and I must say, it turned out phenomenally well.  The hop combo is very interesting and inviting - sort of a sharp, dank herbal note (prominent in Stone's Enjoy By) and then high citrus grapefruit tones, then hints of caramel malt.  There is a light toast in the malt flavor and smooth unobtrusive bitterness. 

i considered dryhopping this one, but i think i kind of like this a little more subtle - its very well balanced as is and will be an easy drinker. 

If i were to change anything, they'd be minor - maybe bump the crystal to 12% and bump the chocolate from 4oz to 6oz to just get a little more red.

Will take a pic and update more when it goes on tap (prob 2-3 weeks).