Unlocking the Secrets of Crafting Cloud Walker: A Hazy IPA Odyssey

In the midst of the frosty January chill, when the world outside appeared veiled in a wintry hush, we embarked on a brewing adventure that would leave an indelible mark on our passion for craft beer. We set out to create something extraordinary, a hazy IPA that would not only tantalize the taste buds but also serve as a testament to our dedication to the art of brewing. As a gesture of camaraderie with fellow beer enthusiasts, we have decided to unveil the intricate details of our journey – from the choice of ingredients to the meticulous brewing process and the final unveiling of "Cloud Walker," a hazy IPA that promises to be a symphony of flavors and aromas. Prepare to embark on a sensory journey as we delve deep into the heart of hazy IPAs and the creation of this exquisite brew.

The Enigma of Hazy IPAs: A Prelude to Brewing Cloud Walker

To understand the artistry behind crafting a hazy IPA, one must first grasp the essence of this unique beer style. Hazy IPAs, often referred to as New England IPAs or NEIPAs, have taken the craft beer world by storm in recent years. They are known for their distinctive appearance – a cloudy, hazy, and unfiltered nature, which sets them apart from their clear and crisp IPA counterparts. However, it's not just their appearance that makes hazy IPAs stand out; it's the vibrant explosion of hop aroma and flavor that defines them. Creating a hazy IPA involves a delicate dance between hops, grains, and yeast, and it's this intricate interplay that we sought to master with Cloud Walker.

Ingredients: Laying the Foundation for Flavor

The foundation of any great beer is the selection of the right ingredients, and Cloud Walker is no exception. Crafting a hazy IPA requires a careful balance of grains, hops, and yeast, each contributing to the final product's character.

Grains: The Canvas for Hoppiness

The backbone of Cloud Walker is built upon a thoughtful blend of malted grains, chosen to impart depth and complexity to the brew:

• 65% Pilsner Malt: Pilsner malt serves as the base, offering a clean and neutral canvas for the hops and yeast to shine.
• 20% Oat Malt: Oat malt is the key to achieving the beer's signature haze, contributing a silky mouthfeel and a subtle sweetness.
• 10% Flaked Oats: These oats add an additional layer of haze and body, enhancing the beer's overall texture and mouthfeel.
• 5% Carapils Malt: Carapils malt, renowned for its ability to enhance head retention and body, contributes to the beer's creamy and luscious quality.

Hops: The Aromatic Alchemy

In the realm of hazy IPAs, hops take center stage. They provide the explosive aromas and flavors that make this style so beloved. In crafting Cloud Walker, we meticulously selected hop varieties that would harmonize with each other:

• Whirlpool Hops: During the whirlpool phase, we introduce 3 oz each of El Dorado and Comet hops. This is where the magic begins, as the hops release their essential oils, creating a tantalizing symphony for the senses. The choice of El Dorado and Comet hops brings a unique blend of tropical and citrusy notes to the beer.

Yeast: The Enigmatic Microorganism

Selecting the right yeast is paramount when brewing a hazy IPA. For Cloud Walker, we opted for Whitelabs 518 Opshaug Kveik yeast, known for its low flocculation properties. This unique yeast strain has the ability to ferment at high temperatures, which imparts a distinctive character to the beer.

The Brewing Process: Crafting the Haze

With our carefully selected ingredients in place, it's time to dive into the brewing process, where each step is executed with precision to achieve that coveted haze.

First Cold Dry Hops: Elevating Aroma and Flavor

After brewing the wort, we introduce the first round of dry hops – 5 oz of Comet and 5 oz of El Dorado. These hops are added during the cold phase, infusing the beer with intense aromatics and flavors. It's a moment where you can almost taste the anticipation in the air as the hops mingle with the liquid, promising an explosion of taste with every sip.

Second Cold Dry Hop: Amplifying the Experience

To further intensify the hoppy goodness, we embark on a second cold dry hop adventure, adding 3 oz of El Dorado hops. This step elevates the aromatic profile of the beer to another level, ensuring that every sip of Cloud Walker is a sensory adventure filled with hoppy delights.

Keg Dry Hop Addition: A Final Flourish

The journey doesn't conclude there. Just before the beer finds its way into your glass, we make a special keg dry hop addition – Hopzoil Juice, at a rate of 1ml per 5-gallon keg. This final flourish of hop goodness enhances the beer's aroma and flavor, promising a truly memorable drinking experience.

Fermentation and Maturation: A Patient Wait

After the hops have been added, it's time for the yeast to work its magic. Cloud Walker is fermented at a toasty 30 degrees Celsius for four days. This higher fermentation temperature allows the Opshaug Kveik yeast to shine, imparting unique esters and flavors to the beer.

During this fermentation period, the yeast diligently converts sugars into alcohol, and the beer gradually transforms into a flavorful masterpiece. We monitor the progress closely, ensuring that our targeted final gravity of 1.016 or 4 Plato is reached.

The Culmination: Unveiling Cloud Walker

Once the yeast has completed its task, Cloud Walker is gently subjected to cold crashing. This process serves a dual purpose: it clarifies the beer while preserving its hazy appearance, creating a visually enticing brew.

And there it is, our masterpiece encapsulated in a glass – Cloud Walker, a hazy IPA that embodies the spirit of experimentation and craftsmanship. With a final ABV of 6.2%, it strikes a delightful balance, making it a sessionable choice for a wide range of occasions.

The Name: A Journey through the Clouds

Every exceptional beer deserves a name that encapsulates its essence and stirs the imagination. We christened our hazy IPA "Cloud Walker," a name that conjures visions of traversing ethereal landscapes of hoppiness and flavor. Just as the beer transcends traditional boundaries, so too does the name invite you to explore the uncharted territories of your palate.

In Conclusion: Crafting Cloud Walker - A Hazy IPA Odyssey

Brewing Cloud Walker has been a labor of love, an exploration into the very core of what makes hazy IPAs so captivating. From the meticulous selection of ingredients to the artful dance of yeast and hops and the precise brewing process, every step has been a testament to our unwavering commitment to craft beer.

We hope this in-depth exploration of our Cloud Walker recipe has inspired you to embark on your own brewing odyssey. Brewing isn't just a science; it's an art, a journey of discovery and creativity. With each batch, you have the opportunity to experiment, push boundaries, and craft something truly extraordinary.

So, whether you're a seasoned homebrewer seeking new horizons or a novice taking your first steps into the world of hazy IPAs, we encourage you to seize the moment and create your own masterpiece. Someday, you may find yourself sharing your recipe with the world, just as we have done here, in the spirit of camaraderie among beer enthusiasts worldwide.

As you savor a glass of Cloud Walker, may it transport you to a realm where clouds and hops merge, where flavors dance upon your palate, and where the love for craft beer knows no bounds. Here's to the limitless possibilities of brewing, and may your journey be as hazy, flavorful, and delightful as ours. Cheers to Cloud Walker and the craft beer community that continues to push the boundaries of taste and imagination.

Cloud Walker Hazy IPA Recipe:

Brewer's Note: This recipe is designed for a 10-gallon batch using a 3-vessel HERMS (Heat Exchanged Recirculating Mash System) setup. The recipe features a carefully selected blend of grains, hops, and yeast to create the signature haze and flavor of Cloud Walker.

Ingredients:

• 65% Pilsner Malt
• 20% Oat Malt
• 10% Flaked Oats
• 5% Carapils Malt
• Whirlpool Hops: 3 oz El Dorado and 3 oz Comet
• Yeast: Whitelabs 518 Opshaug Kveik
• First Cold Dry Hops: 5 oz Comet and 5 oz El Dorado
• Second Cold Dry Hop: 3 oz El Dorado
• Keg Dry Hop Addition: Hopzoil Juice, 1ml per 5-gallon keg
• Fermentation temperature: 30 degrees Celsius for 4 days
• Targeted final gravity: 1.016 or 4 Plato
• ABV: 6.2%

Follow the detailed brewing process outlined above to create your own Cloud Walker, and may your journey into the world of hazy IPAs be as rewarding and fulfilling as ours. Cheers to your brewing adventure!

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