Messages

1

Beer Recipes / Re: suggestions - summer ale?

« on: May 22, 2013, 08:56:28 am »

Damn S04 does work fast. Had full krausen the next morning and it completely dropped out over the next two days. I may keg this one a bit sooner than normal.

Don't know if this should actually be called a "summer ale" but I am not sure what category it would fit into.

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Beer Recipes / Re: suggestions - summer ale?

« on: May 18, 2013, 09:05:48 am »

So here is what I ended up brewing. The store had run out of two row so I used Pale Ale malt and dropped the munich by half a pound.

7 lbs 8.0 oz Pale Ale Malt, Rahr (3.5 SRM) Grain 1 75.0 %
1 lbs 8.0 oz Munich Light 10L (Gambrinus) (10.0 SRM) Grain 2 15.0 %
8.0 oz Oats, Flaked (Briess) (2.5 SRM) Grain 3 5.0 %
4.0 oz Crystal Medium - 45L (Crisp) (45.0 SRM) Grain 4 2.5 %
4.0 oz Light Crystal 15, Crisp (15.0 SRM) Grain 5 2.5 %
11.00 g Magnum [12.10 %] - Boil 60.0 min Hop 6 16.0 IBUs
21.00 g Amarillo Gold [8.60 %] - Boil 10.0 min Hop 8 7.9 IBUs
21.00 g Cascade [7.10 %] - Boil 0.0 min Hop 9 0.0 IBUs
7.00 g Citra [13.30 %] - Boil 0.0 min Hop 10 0.0 IBUs
1.0 pkg SafAle English Ale (DCL/Fermentis #S-04) [23.66 ml] Yeast 10 -

Est Original Gravity: 1.042 SG Measured Original Gravity: 1.042 SG
Est Final Gravity: 1.011 SG Measured Final Gravity: 1.011 SG
Estimated Alcohol by Vol: 4.0 % Actual Alcohol by Vol: 4.1 %
Bitterness: 23.9 IBUs Calories: 138.6 kcal/12oz
Est Color: 7.3 SRM

Definitely ended up with a lower gravity than intended. My efficiency has been very unpredictable although I have been hitting my numbers perfectly and keeping my process the same. Last batch was 72.6% and this batch was 64%. It is very frustrating when attempting to formulate recipes...

Mashed at 154. Any guesses as to how much the S04 will attenuate. Beersmith has it estimated at 73% but I am hoping it will be more.

3

Beer Recipes / Re: suggestions - summer ale?

« on: May 17, 2013, 08:40:19 am »

I might move the 20 minute addition to 0 minutes because I think with smaller beers the hop presence is nice but if there is too much bitterness it can seem thin. grist looks good. I might skip the wheat because I can't think of a reason to put it in. I don't personally notice a huge difference in head retention or mouth feel with a small portion of wheat. but that is largely a personal preference to take that with a grain of salt.

Thanks Mort.

I will probably remove the wheat....better to keep it simple. So you think that 1/2 oz of Amarillo at 20 min would be too much for 5 gallons? Balancing my hop schedule has been a real issue for me so I definitely don't want to over do it.

I like the flaked wheat or flaked barley or flaked rye for a beer like this. will improve your head retention and give a creaminess to the mouthfeel.

Yeah I am thinking about using flaked oats. I use them in an amber and really enjoy the characteristics they impart. Brewing today so I will post my recipe if anyone cares...haha

4

Beer Recipes / Re: suggestions - summer ale?

« on: May 16, 2013, 12:22:40 pm »

Thanks guys. All good stuff. I honestly am not sure what I am going to do. I think I will probably keep the hop aroma pretty low so I may keep the additions where they are at. My main goal with the hops is too keep it simple. I would like a light hoppy character but overall pretty conservative.

I might replace the wheat with flaked oats even though it may have little effect. I am a big fan of oats in many beer styles for some reason.

I am hoping to brew this on saturday so I will post the final recipe. Keep any advice and pointers coming.

5

Commercial Beer Reviews / Re: New Belgium Rolle Bolle

« on: May 16, 2013, 10:17:44 am »

I wish that the seasonals, especially from them, would stay the same for more than a year or two. I personally like the anticipation of a good seasonal instead of ones that are continually changing. I used to love their old spring seasonal Mighty Arrow and every once since it has been a bit of a disappointment to me.

I agree regarding their seasonals, but understand why they would want to rotate them.  I really liked their winter seasonal 2 Below, but they haven't brewed that for a few years now.  Snow Day is good, but 2 Below was much better in my opinion.

Rolle Bolle is good.  My wife liked it more than I did, but she is in love with Dry Dock's Apricot Ale, so I don't think we'll be buying any Rolle Bolle anytime soon.

I have had this a few more times and it has grown on me. Nothing amazing but still a good beer. I don't get any impact from the Monkfruit and Soursop though. My two favorite summer seasonals from last year were Widmer Citra Blonde and Bridgeport Summer Squeeze.

6

Beer Recipes / Re: suggestions - summer ale?

« on: May 16, 2013, 09:07:35 am »

I might move the 20 minute addition to 0 minutes because I think with smaller beers the hop presence is nice but if there is too much bitterness it can seem thin. grist looks good. I might skip the wheat because I can't think of a reason to put it in. I don't personally notice a huge difference in head retention or mouth feel with a small portion of wheat. but that is largely a personal preference to take that with a grain of salt.

Thanks Mort.

I will probably remove the wheat....better to keep it simple. So you think that 1/2 oz of Amarillo at 20 min would be too much for 5 gallons? Balancing my hop schedule has been a real issue for me so I definitely don't want to over do it.

7

Beer Recipes / suggestions - summer ale?

« on: May 16, 2013, 08:46:06 am »

I am going for something very sessionable yet full flavored and balanced beer. Trying to keep the ABV below 5%. I don't know what this beer would classify as so I am just calling it a Summer Ale. It almost fits the blonde ale category but it will be a bit darker. I would like the hops to be noticeable but more on the balanced side. I may switch out the Citra for something a bit more earthy. Any input?

70% two row
20% Weyermann munich I
5% light crystal
5% flaked wheat

Magnum 60 min
Amarillo 20 min
Citra? 5 min

S04 yeast

OG ~1.046
IBUs ~25
ABV ~4.6%

8

Yeast and Fermentation / Re: British Yeast Recommendation

« on: May 16, 2013, 08:22:53 am »

Out of curiousity what would be the effect of pitching at too high but dropping the temp over time? I know this is bad practice. I don't as much control over my beers as I would like right now due to a different location and brewing partner...long story...

Depends on how far it drops. Diacetyl would be my main concern if it was just a few degrees, but if it was a big drop the yeast could stall out early.

Let's say that the yeast was pitched at 70F and over two weeks the temp dropped to 62F. Is this a prime scenario for diacetyl? I am so used to using US05 that I am worried my practices will mess up the beer.

9

Yeast and Fermentation / Re: British Yeast Recommendation

« on: May 15, 2013, 08:25:32 am »

I plan to use S-04 for my next beer but am concerned about diacetyl. I have only used this yeast once and definitely had some diacetyl issues.

Ambient temp in the room where I will be fermenting is right above 60F but I don't have the ability to ramp up the temp toward the end of fermention. Will this be an issue?

Out of curiousity what would be the effect of pitching at too high but dropping the temp over time? I know this is bad practice. I don't as much control over my beers as I would like right now due to a different location and brewing partner...long story...

Sorry if I hijacked...

10

Yeast and Fermentation / Re: Belgian Pale Ale Fermentation

« on: May 14, 2013, 02:21:52 pm »

I try to avoid secondary as it is usally uneccessary. I like to cold condition in the keg while it carbs whenever possible so I usually transfer after about 10-14 days or when FG is reached. Have you taken a hydrometer reading to see where your gravity is at now?

That being said, I tend to rush things a bit more than I should. For most of the stuff I brew I have noticed that things taste better with at least 3 weeks in the primary and 3 weeks in the keg. It all varies with the style/yeast as well but I mostly use US05.

11

Beer Recipes / Re: Session IPA's

« on: May 14, 2013, 02:01:19 pm »

FWIW I have never found a .... ahem .... "session IPA" that was as sessionable as a good IPA....

I really enjoy Lagunitas Daytime which they refer to as a "fractional IPA" @ 4.65% ABV and 54 IBUs. I think it tastes a lot like their normal IPA.

12

Commercial Beer Reviews / Re: Firestone Walker Union Jack IPA

« on: May 14, 2013, 11:58:28 am »

Double Jack is my favorite imperial

"REMEMBER: Watch for bottled on dates located on the necks or bottom left corner of the label for each of our beers.  Our beer is not pasteurized, so it is best when stored at 44F or below, out of light and within 120 days of the bottled on date...this ensures freshness and ultimately a great Firestone Walker beer!"

13

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Irish Red kit from Midwest- through primary in 2 days?

« on: May 10, 2013, 04:58:44 pm »

I am not sure I fully understand the questions but I it sounds like you have experience normal fermentation. I wouldn't touch it for at least 10-14 days after pitching the yeast.

Do you happen to have a hydrometer? If so I would take a reading closer when you intend to bottle/keg. Dealing with impatience when brewing has always been tough for me but is imperative especially when letting fermentation run its course.

Even if you aren't seeing much airlock activity that doesn't mean its done fermenting.

14

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: blending beers

« on: May 09, 2013, 10:18:36 am »

Gonna try to let this condition in the keg as long as possible. If I need the keg and it is still tasting bad, I will dump it. Had a taste last night for the first time in a few days. Still bad but not as bad...haha

15

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: blending beers

« on: May 08, 2013, 06:25:32 pm »

What possessed you to put Columbus in a wheat beer?

I would consider mixing it, but the suggestion to dump it isn't a bad one.  I had to dump a batch, and while it hurt a little, in the end it was about $16 worth of ingredients and I'm not broke.  Time counts for something, but again, I'm not broke for time either.  After the little bit of sting, I just brewed another batch and moved on.

I was going for a cross between an American Wheat and an APA. Didn't think 33 IBUs would be out of the question with only 2 oz of total hops used in the boil and 1/4 oz as bittering. I severely undershot my efficiency which didn't help.