A 120 Minute IPA is a beer that pushes the boundaries of what is typically considered beer. It is a strong and intense brew that is not for the faint of heart. This particular IPA is brewed to an incredibly high gravity, with a starting gravity of 45-degree plato. To put that into perspective, a typical beer might have a starting gravity of around 10-15 degrees plato. So right from the start, you can see that this beer is going to be something special.
The brewing process for a 120 Minute IPA is unlike anything you've ever seen. It starts with a two-hour boil, which is exceptionally long compared to the usual 60-minute boil for most beers. During this extended boil, the beer is continuously hopped with high-alpha American hops. This means that hops are added throughout the entire two-hour period, resulting in a beer that is intensely hoppy and bitter.
But the hop additions don't stop there. After the boil, the beer is then dry-hopped daily in the fermenter for an entire month. This means that fresh hops are added to the beer every day, allowing the aroma and flavor of the hops to really shine through. This daily dry-hopping process is quite unique and helps to create a beer that is bursting with hop character.
But the hoppy goodness doesn't stop there. After the dry-hopping is complete, the beer is aged for another month on whole-leaf hops. This aging process allows the flavors to mellow and blend together, creating a beer that is complex and well-rounded.
The end result is a beer that is incredibly hoppy, with intense flavors and aromas of citrus, pine, and resin. It has a strong malt backbone to balance out the hop bitterness, but make no mistake, this is a beer that is all about the hops. It is bold, it is intense, and it is not for the faint of heart.
Personal Experience:
I remember the first time I tried a 120 Minute IPA. I was at a beer festival, and a friend of mine recommended that I give it a try. I had heard about its reputation for being an extreme beer, so I was curious to see what all the fuss was about. I approached the booth with a mixture of excitement and trepidation, unsure of what to expect.
As I took my first sip, I was immediately hit with an explosion of hop flavor. The bitterness was intense, but it was balanced out by a rich maltiness that provided a hint of sweetness. The aroma was incredible, with notes of citrus and pine wafting up from the glass. It was unlike any beer I had ever tasted before.
I sipped on that beer slowly, savoring each sip and trying to pick out all the different flavors. It was a beer that demanded your attention, that forced you to really think about what you were drinking. It wasn't something you could mindlessly sip on while watching TV or chatting with friends. It was a beer that commanded your full attention.
Since that first experience, I have sought out 120 Minute IPA whenever I can find it. It's not a beer that is readily available, as it is brewed in limited quantities and often sells out quickly. But when I do manage to get my hands on a bottle, I treat it like a precious commodity, savoring each sip and relishing in the unique experience that it provides.
So, in conclusion, a 120 Minute IPA is a beer that is extreme in every sense of the word. It pushes the boundaries of what is typically considered beer, with an intense hop character and a high alcohol content. It is a beer that demands your attention and forces you to appreciate the craftsmanship and skill that went into its creation. If you are a fan of hoppy beers and are looking for something truly special, I would highly recommend seeking out a 120 Minute IPA.