Brew Day, Batch 367: "Session IPA"

Today's beer is a command performance: Mrs. C commanded me to make a "session IPA," that is, a low-gravity pale ale with very high bitterness and hop character. She did not have to command too stridently, though, as I think it's a capital idea. We are currently enjoying a very citrusy 5.9% v/v IPA, but a pint of that stuff before dinner makes Mrs. C's head spin. Thus, I'm looking to produce an amber beer of around 3.5-4.0% with around 55 BUs. Here's what I'm going with, straight from the back of the envelope:

(10 gallons final volume)

11  lbs. Great Western 2 row malt

1   lb. Weyermann Melanoidin malt

1/2 lb. Briess Victory malt

1/2 lb. Dingemans Special B malt

Single infusion mash, 1 qt./lb., at 154F

90 minute boil

1     oz. Columbus 13.0%           60 minutes

2     oz. Northern Brewer 10.0%    30 minutes

1-1/2 oz. Willamette 5.2%          10 minutes

1     oz. Bramling Cross 4.7%       5 minutes

As you can see from the hop bill, this will not be a citrusy one. Seemed like a good idea to change it up a bit- the previously mentioned IPA, plus the Dynamomium uber-IPA which is citrusy and fruity as well, have that covered. I'm hoping for a wee bit of piney-ness to carry through from the Columbus, add a bit of wood, mint, and tea from the Northern Brewer, some nice clean spiciness from the Willamette, and a nose full of currant from the Bramling Cross. Wyeast 1098 British Ale yeast will be doing the real work on this one, which we hope to be drinking within 3-4 weeks.