Tasting Notes - Batch #1

Batch #1 - Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA Clone
Style - IPA

Targets 
OG - 1.077
FG - 1.025
ABV - 6.81%
Efficiency - 92%

Actuals
OG - 1.071
FG - 1.011
ABV - 7.86%
Efficiency - 85%

Misc
IBU's - 47.89
Color - 1.069

Appearance
The appearance of this beer matches the Dogfish Head very closely, however there is a slight bit more chill haze in our brew.  It is an inviting color, pours with a nice head.

 Smell
The hops are present, but a little more subtle than Dogfish Head.  They have a light floral aroma, and notes of citrus.  Though it doesn't match the Dogfish Head, it is a pleasant smell.

Taste
This beer is not very bitter, low IBU's.  The biggest different between ours and Dogfish Head is that ours is missing any Chocolate Malt flavors.  There is a hint of it in Dogfish Head, and none used in ours with no taste of Chocolate Malt.  It is very slightly sweet up front with a smooth finish.  Many of my neighbors who are not craft brew drinkers really liked it, which tells me it wasn't too strong in any direction.  Some people felt they could taste Grapefruit.  I suspect so because of the sweetness up front, and the slight bitter taste for a finish.

Mouthfeel
This is a great beer to drink, not too heavy and not too light.  It doesn't coat your mouth.

Overall
Though I think this a fail in trying to create a Dogfish Head clone, it is a good beer on its own.  Probably not hoppy enough to actually be called an IPA, probably more a simple Pale Ale.  We used two different yeasts on this batch, Wyeast 1056 (American Ale) and White Labs 0041 (Pacific Ale).  I felt the American Ale yeast was a little less dry and slightly sweater, or with more hints of fruit.  The Pacific Ale also had fruit notes, but they were more subtle.  Both yeasts cleared out almost the same.  I would make this brew again as people really liked it, however as this was our first brew, some of what we did will not be re-creatable.  If you read our notes from that brew day you will see the challenges we had that we worked to overcome.

We just kegged Batch #2, and hopefully will be able to taste next week.  We'll see if we improved!