Underdog IPA Competition

[irish_goat]

Simply Hops are running a professional IPA competition with a twist.

To prove your master brewing skills the beer has to be created without the use of any of the following popular hop varieties; Amarillo®, Cascade, Centennial, Citra®, Galaxy™, Mosaic® and Simcoe. Just to make it a little more tricky each year we're also going to insist that within your recipe you include our "underdog" hop*. This year we have chosen a hop variety that is rarely used in craft beer... Target.

The thing that confuses me slightly is that it can seemingly be any style IPA. So an English IPA would be easy to brew without using the above. An American IPA wouldn't be too much of a stretch either, Chinook, Magnum and Ahtanum plus any NZ/Aus hops would produce a decent one.

Thought it's a cool idea anyway. I love Citra too much though. 

[brenmurph]

Ok Im in...I have a whole vine full of them 

[Parky]

Well spotted, a nice challenge to get brewers thinking outside the box when it comes to IPA hop choices.

One line in the rules confused me though -

Brewers must be able to accurately replicate the beer and provide up to 5 hectolitres in cask or keg in sufficient quantities to be served at a minimum of 3 events during 2016.

So, the winner has to commit to providing 5 hectolitres at their own expense? Not one for home brewers I assume.

[irish_goat]

Brewers must be able to accurately replicate the beer and provide up to 5 hectolitres in cask or keg in sufficient quantities to be served at a minimum of 3 events during 2016.

So, the winner has to commit to providing 5 hectolitres at their own expense? Not one for home brewers I assume.

I think it's only really aimed at professional breweries. I'd also assume they get paid for those 5 hectolitres.

[Hop Bomb]

Simply hops have the worst hop selection of the suppliers this side of USA. Thats why they are getting brewers "to think outside the box". Hey dont use those hops, coz we dont have them & wont have til 2018, use this one instead, we've loads of it 

Brewers will just make a homebrew batch Id imagine. If they win they'll brew a commercial batch & give them their 500L of it to pour at fests. Thats how I see it anyway.

[johnrm]

Sure, Galway Bay will be happy to brew the 5hl batch.