[dkfick]

So i'm planning on brewing a double IPA for a local whacky brewing competition.  I want to use quassia bark for the bittering.  I've made a tea with it and it will get the job done... maybe too much lol.  I'm wondering if anyone has ever used quassia and, if so, how much do you think I should use for a 6 gallon batch of 1.090 Double IPA.  I am planning on the vast majority of the bitterness to come from the quassia vs the hops.

[morticaixavier]

there was a presentation involving this ingredient at the 2013 NHC I think. It might have been in the alternative wood ageing presentation but I'm not sure. I'm also not sure that he went over dosages.

You could do a side by side tea tasting with a known AA% hop to develop a rough equivalency and go from there though.

[dkfick]

there was a presentation involving this ingredient at the 2013 NHC I think. It might have been in the alternative wood ageing presentation but I'm not sure. I'm also not sure that he went over dosages.

You could do a side by side tea tasting with a known AA% hop to develop a rough equivalency and go from there though.

Yeah I was at that talk.  I think he just mentioned it and how bitter it was.  Nothing about dosing.  Yeah making an extract test beer is what I wanted to avoid.  I think so far what I'm going to do is puts some in a bag and try and sheep it to taste day of. I'll just pull the bag when I think it's bitter enough

[morticaixavier]

there was a presentation involving this ingredient at the 2013 NHC I think. It might have been in the alternative wood ageing presentation but I'm not sure. I'm also not sure that he went over dosages.

You could do a side by side tea tasting with a known AA% hop to develop a rough equivalency and go from there though.

Yeah I was at that talk.  I think he just mentioned it and how bitter it was.  Nothing about dosing.  Yeah making an extract test beer is what I wanted to avoid.  I think so far what I'm going to do is puts some in a bag and try and sheep it to taste day of. I'll just pull the bag when I think it's bitter enough

I was thinking to do a tea side by side with hops.

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[dkfick]

Ah, gotcha.  Yeah maybe.  I did make a tea with it but with no hop to to compare against.  The tea I made with it was the most bitter thing I've ever tasted lol.

I've heard Dark Horse users it in their Plead the 5th.. So I've emailed them for any tips.

[Philbrew]

If you want to make a wacky brew, how about using cascara bark for bittering?  I kid...I really, really kid!

[dkfick]

Heh,  Well it all stems from a brew day at a local brewery where they give you up to 20lbs of malt and up to 8oz of hops.  Malt and hop varieties are limited.  I chose all aroma and flavor hops.  I could bring more hops... But I had a few bitter ingredients stirring around for making bitters... Figured why not.  Lol.

[dkfick]

Well I got a response back from Aaron at Dark Horse.  They don't actually use it... So the rumors I heard were incorrect.  He suggested adding it to the mash or post ferment,  though he does not have any actual experience with it.

I am going to try using a smaller amount in some may temp water and I'm some fermented wort.  Worth a shot.

[morticaixavier]

I still think it would be worth while to boil say 1 gram of the quassia and 1 gram of high alpha bittering hop each in a cup of water and taste side by side at least to get an idea of where to start.

[dkfick]

I still think it would be worth while to boil say 1 gram of the quassia and 1 gram of high alpha bittering hop each in a cup of water and taste side by side at least to get an idea of where to start.

Maybe I will,  I got some time.  Brew day isn't until April 30th.

[dkfick]

So I went with 6 grams for a 6 gallon batch.  I added for a 10 minute whirlpool and then left it in during the cool which took roughly 20 minutes.  This was a double IPA.  I've only had it uncarbed (it's currently dry hopping) but I think it's a little bit too bitter.  I think I would remove the quassia after the whirlpool if I were to do it again... Maybe reduce the quassia to 4-5g...