How to Make a Home Brewed India Pale Ale

India Pale Ale has been a popular drink around the world for hundreds of years. The following steps are a basic recipe for India Pale Ale. You can add or remove certain steps to fit your taste.

Things You'll Need

• 2 1/2 pounds pale malt
• 5 ounces crystal malt
• 5.5 ounces bittering hops
• 1/2 ounce finishing hops
• Ale yeast
• 2 large boiling pots

Instructions

1. Add mash to a large boiling pot and bring the water to 132 degrees. Use a cooking thermometer to track the temperature.

2. Adjust mash pH to 5.3. Test the pH with a standard testing kit from a plant nursery. If the levels are too high, add 2 drops of vinegar to lower it. If the levels are too low, add a pinch of baking soda to bring up the levels slightly.

3. Boost the temperature to 150 degrees.

4. Leave the mash in for 2 hours between 146 and 152 degrees. Check the mash periodically, but refrain from stirring the mix.

5. Remove mash from pot for 5 minutes and place it in a non-heated boiling pot. Mash and pot will be extremely hot. Use pot holders or gloves and wear protective goggles to protect against splashing.

6. Pour the mash back into the pot and add 2 gallons of water at 165 degrees. Stir the mash so the water is thoroughly soaked.

7. Boil the brew for 90 minutes, adding the hops during the last hour of boiling. These hops can be stirred into the brew.

8. Add finishing hops during the last 5 minutes of boiling. These hops can also be stirred into the brew.

9. Allow mash to ferment at 70 degrees for approximately 10 days.

Tips & Warnings

• While making the pale ale, the mash and the pot will be extremely hot. Take precautions while handling it. Hand and eye protection are very important.

• Home-made brews can make you sick. If you or anyone else begin feeling ill, discontinue the drinking and poor the brew out.