So while my Cali common is bubbling away (I love them bubbles Denny!), I'm trying to think of ways to hone my craft as well as get a good feel for what every little thing does to the final product. I figured, what a better way than a smash. I want to start it off basic, and I just wanted to get some feedback on what you all think. I was thinking about going plain jane and go American 2 row and Cascade. It's a boring combo, I know, but I'm more interested in whether or not the final product would be worth it. I could go Vienna or Munich, even Pilsner, should you all think 2 row doesn't have enough flavor on it's own. I'd probably go 10-12 lbs of 2 row and 2 oz of cascade at 60 and 10 minutes. Thoughts?

Ive brewed one 2 row Am. by itself and it was pretty bland. I dont use alot of hops,so you shoiuld definently hop high. I compared it to a premium grain belt,was drinkable though.

What do you mean by the term smash?

Single Malt and Single Hop

If I were you, then you would be a hophead. And you would love a good IPA. So you would do an all Munich IPA with Amarillo or Centennial hops. I like Cascade but you can also just buy a Sierra Nevada and taste what Cascade are like.

Here is my 'smash' base recipe. I only vary the hops each time, and only pay attention to the ibu's and time. You really learn the nuances of the hops doing it this way. And don't underestimate those Cascades, they will make a beautiful beer.

OG 1.053
80% Eff
6 Gal

88% 2-row
6% crystal 40
6% crystal 20

hop - 60min 14 ibu
hop - 30min 12 ibu
hop - 10min 13 ibu
hop - 0min 2.5 oz of whatever the hop of the month is.

I was thinking that the 2 row would be a bit bland, anyone have experience with a 100% Munich grain bill?

Yep, it makes a great beer.

I've done the "smash" and made real nice beers that were not bland or boring. The last ones were 2-row and liberty, and 2-row and amarillo. Both were 4 hop additions. Most my blonds are 1 grain 1 hop.

One of the best I've tried was a barley wine made with Marris Otter and EKG hops.

one of my "tuesday night" series (planning to write a posting about this soon - it's an ongoing experiment of mine that involves stripping away nearly all brewing dogma for a quick weeknight brew) currently on tap is a straight 2-row (actually, extract) and amarillo. simple and delicious.

another all-munich, all simcoe is just about ready to keg, so can't comment on it yet. i say go for the all munich, though. such a nice base.

My half munich/half 2-row lager was really good . . . if an all-munich lager is twice as good, holy crap! I just picked up my first whole bag, so this may be on the docket . . .

I make an IPA with all Munich that comes out great.
Give it a try

N8, are you going to keep us guessing as to what your all Munich IPA recipe is?