Theoretical IBU's

Last night I managed to get my hands on a bottle of Mikkeller 1000 IBU IPA. It became famous upon its release in early 2010 as the most bitter beer ever made, supposedly it sports 1000 International Bittering Units, hence the name. Its unmistakably a very hoppy beer, initially leading in with some citrus and pineapple aromas and a subtle caramel malt flavour, this was followed by an almost oily texture punctured with bittering hops resulting in a long bittersweet finish that just kept expanding.

Whilst enjoying this beer, it got me thinking as the relativeness of IBU measurements in high alpha beers.

Hops play several roles in the production of beer, but in particular they are critical as a source of aroma, flavour and bitterness. More specifically the role of alpha acids associated with hop derived bitterness. These alpha acids, as they occur naturally, exhibit very poor solubility in water, which is why they must be boiled. This alpha acid component of the hop generally account for between 2% - 16% dry weight, with higher alpha hops being bred all the time. Thus, the greater the alpha acid content, the greater the amount of bitterness will add to the beer.

It is generally accepted that hop solubility in a given wort stops at around 100 – 120 IBU. As far as what we can taste, that is limited to 90 – 100 IBU. Therefore, theoretical IBU numbers are purely limited to how many hops a brewer can fit in their kettle.

A beer at 50 IBU’s with no malt depth to balance the hop bitterness might as well be poured down the sink as the acrid hop element will render the beer far to bitter. Alternatively, a 100 IBU IPA with a plethora of malt depth to the beer simply balances it out and adds a tremendous complexity, or balance.

In this current brewing world where one upmanship regularly raises its ugly head, IBU measurements are almost discountable. The responsibility of the brewer is to present the beer (including hop character) in its best possible form taking into account a variety of attributes, but most importantly drinkability and balance.

It must be balanced – period.

That’s why this Mikkeller 1000 IBU IPA succeeds, even if the name is slightly misleading.

Frankenstein creation

Is this what happens when we brew our Ragged Jack pale ale to the sounds of hats, gold chains, and untied sneakers of Run DMC and the lazy eyes and melancholic vibes of Radiohead. Lets hope not, because its a seriously ugly bottle.

Fuelled By Beer

They may not be of the Yellow variety (we ordered them before Cadel came through with the goods), but if you want to get your hands on a very limited Van Dieman Brewing cycling jersey, drop an email here Email Us . Available now in sizes XS through to 2XL, $120 inc GST and postage

*Guaranteed to make you go faster, look better and have less mechanicals.

*Some claims may be misleading and completely full of shit

Spring is Coming..

Spring is on its way judging by the bulbs that are starting to appear around the brewery at the moment. Within the next 3 - 4 weeks, a heap of daffodils will pop up an brighten the surrounding paddocks, bringing some much needed colour to the land

Rusty getting his pollen fix for the day

Tour De Brew - Stage 21 Yellow for Cadel

Congratulations Cadel!

Its a situation that heros stand up in. A need to step up to the plate and deliver in a given moment in order to succeed. No-one else can help you, everything that has happened before is irrelevant and it is in that moment that ultimately defines your success.

57 seconds was all he needed to swipe the jersey off Andy Pandy, and well, judging by the look of terror on young Andys' face in the starting box, he knew something was up. In a near clinical performance (HTCs' Tony Martin managed to find 7 secs out on course to come in quicker on the stage) Cadel not only sucked up the time, but delivered a couple of stunning combinations that left the Schlecks reeling against the ropes. He was simply sensational.

He knew what he needed to do.

What the reward was.

And most importantly how best to go about it.

When it mattered in this years tour, Cadel took things into his own hands. Whilst BMC supported him fantastically and ultimately delivered him to the win, when the hills got steeper and the pack thinned out, Cadel relied on no-one else to protect him, respond to attacks or pace him back into contention. It was all about Cadel, not anyone else.

I think he genuinely surprised the Schleck sisters with his tenacity and refusal to wither to their double act (bad luck fellas!), and Contador failed to intimidate Cadel or the other contenders like in previous years. I have no doubt that in Tommy Voekler carrying the mantle of the Malliot Jaune for as long as he did, Cadel sidestepped the hype, pressure and responsibility that is carried with the jersey. This allowed him to concentrate on the racing, cover the opposition and protect his team from burying themselves day in - day out had he had yellow on his shoulders.

Well done mate, you beat the best riders, in the biggest race, and no-one will ever take that away from you. So tonight, as the peleton rolls into Paris and team BMC lead them onto the Champes Elysees, stand up, raise your glass and salute a man who has arguably achieved the greatest individual sporting result this country has ever seen! Fact.

Stage 21

95km of glory. Sure Cavendish will have to fight to keep Green, but really, with yellow in the bag for Cadel, this is just a chance to check out how Paris is looking this time of year and to wait up for the anthem and ceremony.

Beer for the Stage: Bugger it, go with a Champagne or two.

Beer Locale: Whatever you can get you hands on

Tour De Brew - Stage 20 Cadels playground

Stage 19 Review:

Stage 20: Grenoble ITT 42.5km

As in recent seasons, the yellow jersey has still been up for grabs going into the final time trial. This course will prove an inspired choice. Anyone who's got some significant strength left in their legs will feature today. The rolling course, which includes the opening part of the climb to Chamrousse, is quite technical especially with the descents, so Evans could get time over Andy Pandy and Frank the Snake. The podium places will finally be settled today. I can’t see many people beating Cancellara, unlike the GC guys he’ll have been able to take it fairly easy the last couple of days.

Beer for the stage: As close to champagne as you can get, Deus is first brewed at Bosteels, transfered to the Champagne region of France were it is treated much like a champagne with the bottles inverted and the yeast expunged and bottle recorked. The palate is creamy-smooth, fruity and malty-sweet, and the finish is clean with characteristic beer bitterness. Grab one(or three) and toast Cadel

Biere Locale: Don’t worry about it, hot foot it to Paris to celebrate with Cadel

Tour De Brew - Stage 19

Stage 18 Review: Was Andy Schleck foxing with the other guys in previous days or did he do one of the most courageous and impressive rides in modern tour history. On the slopes of the Izoard (where 3-time Tour winner Louison Bobet said great riders made their reputations), Andy Schleck rode away from the field. At one point on the windy Galibier he had more than 4 minutes on the yellow jersey group.

The domestiques of the other contenders were unable to reel in Schleck and on the Galibier Cadel took the responsibility of containing the growing threat. With Basso, Voeckler, Contador, and Cunego sitting on his wheel, Evans stayed at the front and hammered away. Contador, having another jour sans, was dropped near the finish, losing nearly 4 minutes. Schleck soloed in for an amazing victory after being off the front for 60 kilometers. Voeckler just about nailed himself to the cross, holding Evans' wheel, making it clear the whole chase that he would not put his nose in the wind. He reward was another day in yellow.

Frank the Snake had an armchair ride all day to sprint away in the last 150m to gain some seconds on Cadel, and finish 2nd for the stage. If he doesn’t win on Alpe d’Huez, something is seriously wrong, as he’ll be as very fresh.

Cadel took back 2 minutes from Andy on the Galibier climb, showing that he has the legs to counter attacks that will certainly come on stage 19. He defiantly has some work to do to minimise his losses and hold onto a position that gives him the best possible crack at gaining yellow in Grenoble of Saturday.

Stage 19: Modane – Alpe d’Huez 109.5km

The rider who wins on Alpe-d'Huez often goes on to win in Paris, as Carlos Sastre underlined in 2008. With just two stages to follow, this could turn into a 109.5km mountain sprint.

There is little chance to warm up before the course reaches the 34km ascent comprising the Télégraphe and the epic north face of the Galibier. There are sure to be some breaks, with riders hoping they can defend their advantage on the long descent into Bourg d'oisans and onto the first ramps of the alpe, where the winner will climb into Tour history.

Beer for the stage: Van Dieman Jacobs Ladder Amber Ale. Alpe d’Huez, switchbacks and Jacobs Ladder all go hand in hand. Named after the access road to the ski village on Ben Lomond in northern Tasmania, this beer provides a smooth malty character with delicate caramel and toffee notes and a medium body sweetness. Some drivers have been known to carry a bottle of Jacobs ladder in the car going up the road instead on snow chains, the jury’s open as to which has more advantages.

Above: Jacobs Ladder

Biere Locale: Biere de Alps, located in Vallouise (340km fro Alpe d’Huez) has a cracking range of beers, and having tasted most of them, I can defiantly vouch for their quality. A white, blonde, amber and stout are the mainstream beers produced, but they also do couple of seasonals. The classic whit beer is a beauty, perfect for quenching your thirst after a long climb in the Alps.

Cheers