Recipe: Deschutes Winemaker’s IPA

No grapes were harmed in the making of this experimental beer from the Deschutes pilot brewery. Instead, the beer’s wine-like character comes from grape-like hops and a winemakers’ acid blend.

By Jeff “Vern” Johnson

March 25, 2022

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Courtesy of Deschutes pilot brewer Jeff “Vern” Johnson, this recipe is based on a one-off experiment brewed for their taproom in Bend, Oregon. It calls for a blend of acids of the type often used in winemaking, in conjunction with aroma hops chosen for their grape-like attributes.

For more on ways to get balanced tartness into your fruit beers and other styles, check out Gordon Schuck’s Brewer’s Perspective: Explorations in Acidification.

ALL-GRAIN

Batch size: 5 gallons (19 liters)
Brewhouse efficiency: 72%
OG: 1.054
FG: 1.007
IBUs: 25
ABV: 6.2%