Developing the Perfect IPA

[MF Tyler]

I've just begun my recipe formulation for an American IPA. I want to develop a recipe that I can keep on tap all the time. I would like this recipe to fit into the sort of grungy, west-coast, developing American IPA style.
I thought I might be able to truncate the "research-brew-repeat" cycle by soliciting the forum for info. So, let's have it - are there any essential resources that I should read? What are some of your favorite recipes? What ingredients and/or techniques are essential to the process of brewing this type of beer? Are there any commercial IPAs that I have to find? What has been most helpful to you in formulating your American IPA recipes?
Thanks in advance for all the help.

[Chupa LaHomebrew]

What's your favorite IPA? What do you want to get close to in flavor?

I just tried Torpedo and that shot up to my top 3 IPA's instantly (along with Blind Pig and 2-Hearted ale)! Such a beautiful balance and hop profile.

I'd say tell us more specifically what you like as commercial IPA's and then listen to the Jamil Show archive on IPA's and the latest CYBI on Green Flash.

[MF Tyler]

As far as commercial examples are concerned my favorite is the green flash west coast IPA. The newest CYBI is what made me think about the gaping hole in my homebrew lineup (yeah...that's right..."gaping hole"). I'd like something in the same vein but tweaked a little. I'm also a big fan of Blind Pig, Hercules DIPA, Racer 5, and Pliny.
The sort of info I'm looking for is, I suppose, info on where this style is heading and what new trends are emerging. In short, where are homebrewers pushing this style?

[Dirk McLargeHuge]

Look for Tasty's Tasty APA recipe on the forums. I just brewed it and it is awesome.

[Mylo]

to fit into the sort of grungy, west-coast, developing American IPA style.

Grungy? no.... Dank, perhaps...


Mylo

[Dubba_Brew]

....mmmmmmmmm.....Dank.

[TastyMcD]

.....What has been most helpful to you in formulating your American IPA recipes?....

I've tried a lot of IPAs. I've brewed a lot of IPAs. Some pretty good.
For me it's the ABC rule: Attentuation, Balance, Cohumulone. I always try to formulate a balanced highly fermentable wort with an eye towards low cohumulone hops.

BTW: Don't forget the DE: Always Dry Hop and watch the Esters.

Tasty

[Chupa LaHomebrew]

For me 7.3% ABV is a bit high for a house brew. I like to go for 6-6.5%

I just brewed one up that's tasting really clean and hoppy. The only change I would make would be to take bring up the bittering addition to hit more like 70 IBU's as opposed to 66.

You can see the recipe here: http://seanywonton.blogspot.com/2009/02 ... -2009.html