#Mashtag 2014 Day 4: The Twist

Another day of #Mashtag over, and another part of the recipe is locked in. In what some here at BrewDog HQ consider a surprise landslide, the winner is:

Global hops, at 65 IBU!

Over 12,000 votes were cast on the blog, which is a phenomenal response, but we knew you'd get really involved over the hops! Here's the breakdown:

Global Hops - 65 IBU - 77.2%

UK Hops - 90 IBU - 7.9%

US Hops - 120 IBU - 14.9%

For those of you just joining us, here's how #Mashtag works:

Every day this week we'll post a blog at 10am. Each post will present you with three options; it's up to you to decide which one we go with. To make the decision, you can cast your vote here on the blog, on twitter, or on facebook. Here's how the week will pan out:

Monday: Beer style - red ale

Tuesday: Malt bill - 9% imperial red with copious speciality malts and black malt

Wednesday: Hops - global hop mix at 65 IBU

Thursday: Special Twist

Friday: Label

Voting is open from 10am - 8pm each day, with the exception of Friday (more details will be revealed, but now's a good time to have a look at last years blog for a head start). Simcoe and his little helpers will tally up the votes each evening and each day we'll include the results from the day before in the blog. As we go we'll explain the ingredients and methods involved in each option, to give you the chance to make an informed opinion and give you an insight into how we come up with some of the ideas for our beer.

Day 4: Special Twist

At BrewDog, we like to push the boat out and do things to beer that mess with the perception of what beer can be. Based on your 9% ABV, 65 IBU Imperial red ale with a global hop profile, we've put our heads together and came up with three twists which will make this a beer to remember. In no particular order, they are:

Aged with oak chips and chillies

This twist features an odd couple that - like R2-D2 & C-3PO - are bigger than the sum of their parts. The oak chips will add a smooth, toasty rounded character, while the chillies will give a spicy hit; both will keep each other in check, and allow the flavours to balance with the big bold malt bill and bright, clean hops.

Blood orange, orange peel and lemon peel

A huge, bittersweet, zesty slap in the face, which will play off the malt sweetness and amplify the citrus notes from the hops. This will imbue your imperial red ale with big summery flavours.

Infused with beetroot and coffee berries

A twist that will impart both colour and flavour; the beetroot will give a deep, red hue and a subtle earthiness, and the coffee berries a sharp, cranberry like note. Coffee berries are the fruit of the coffee plant, rather than the beans, so don't expect a Cocoa Psycho flavour here!

Think carefully about your choice of twist - unlike the Saw films, you only get one!

Place your votes at the top of this blog by 8pm, and tomorrow morning, we'll reveal the last element of your beer, and announce the label design round.