After brewing so many SMaSH beers, it was time to take those experiments and craft something bigger: an IPA blending three hops with unique flavors. This brew combines Citra, Ekuanot, and El Dorado into a balanced, hop-forward American IPA that doesn’t lean fully New England or West Coast. With a malt base designed to showcase hop aromas and a dry, clean finish, this beer was all about letting the hops take center stage. Here’s the story of the brew and what we thought of the final product.

Building the IPA: Recipe and Process

Mike brews 3.5-gallon batches – here you go:

Water Additions:

1 mL lactic acid
2 grams gypsum
1 gram magnesium sulfate
1 gram calcium chloride

Grains:

82% Weyermann Pilsner Malt
10% White Wheat Malt
5% Carapils
3% Honey Malt

Hops:

60 minutes:
10 grams Nugget (bittering)

10 minutes:
10 grams Ekuanot
10 grams El Dorado
5 grams Citra

Whirlpool at 180°F (steep for ~20 minutes):

10 grams Ekuanot
10 grams El Dorado
5 grams Citra

Dry Hop (3 days, cold):

10 grams Ekuanot
10 grams El Dorado

Yeast:

LalBrew BR-97 West Coast Ale Yeast

Process:

Mashed at 145°F for 75 minutes (to enhance fermentability), then 155°F for 10 minutes and  168°F for 10 minutes (mash out)

Fermented at ~67-70°F for 10 days

Cold crash before dry hopping

Citra, Ekuanot, & El Dorado IPA Notes

When we poured this beer, the hazy golden color and pillowy head set the stage for what was to come. On the nose, we got orange rind, subtle melon, and a touch of sweetness, with no unpleasant vegetal notes. We have had some bad experiences with Ekuanot before. The flavor was balanced, leaning citrusy with hints of tropical fruit and a faint resin-like bitterness. As the beer warmed, a bit of candied fruit character emerged, rounding out the profile.

Overall, the blend of Citra, Ekuanot, and El Dorado worked beautifully to create a hop-forward IPA with depth and complexity. While we felt the fruit flavors could have been bolder, this beer’s balance and drinkability made it a winner. If you’re into hop experiments, this recipe is a great starting point.

BREW ON!