[IMperry9]

Have been trying to come up with a simple light beer for my dad who is not much of a craft beer drinker. He prefers his lite American lagers but I don't have the capability to produce lagers. So I came up with a light ale that hopefully isn't too complex let me know what you think.

5 Gal. Batch
-8lbs. Briess 2-row
-.3lbs. Gambrinus Honey Malt
-.2lbs. Biscuit Malt
- 1oz Willamette 60min.
-East Coast Ale WLP008

OG: 1.045
FG: 1.012
IBU: 18.7
SRM: 6.55
ABV: 4.2%
EFF: 70%

Any suggestions?

[dmtaylor]

Beautiful.  Gorgeous.  Brew it.  Don't change a thing.

 

[Iliff Ave]

Looks good to me as well. You could even use pilsner malt instead of two row if you like.

[Wort-H.O.G.]

Looks good to me as well. You could even use pilsner malt instead of two row if you like.

+1 my only thought also if you wanted to.

[IMperry9]

Thanks for the feedback everyone! I'll probably stick with the 2-row just because that's what I have on hand. Also LHBS might not have WLP008 so I was thinking WLP001 instead. Any thoughts?

[Iliff Ave]

Thanks for the feedback everyone! I'll probably stick with the 2-row just because that's what I have on hand. Also LHBS might not have WLP008 so I was thinking WLP001 instead. Any thoughts?

Never used WLP008 but I don't think you can go wrong with 001 for a beer like this.

[HoosierBrew]

Thanks for the feedback everyone! I'll probably stick with the 2-row just because that's what I have on hand. Also LHBS might not have WLP008 so I was thinking WLP001 instead. Any thoughts?

It'd work fine - just ferment cool. I use 1056 for cream ale at 60F and it works great.

[dmtaylor]

Can't go wrong with WLP001.

[brulosopher]

Thanks for the feedback everyone! I'll probably stick with the 2-row just because that's what I have on hand. Also LHBS might not have WLP008 so I was thinking WLP001 instead. Any thoughts?

Recipe looks solid. I'm a huge fan of WLP029 for crisp, clean lager-like ale. I actually use it to make lager styles, some of which have won awards.

[IMperry9]

Update: Just brewed this one yesterday was a good brew day. Bottled a experimental 1 gal Lite Lager and a brewed up this beauty Only change was the WLP001 instead of WLP008. Efficiency was a little off got a starting gravity of 1.042 instead of 1.045. To adjust that should I adjust my Final gravity. It looks like it turned out a little darker than anticipated but I think it will lighten up a bit once it settles out in the secondary. Ill keep you guys posted!

[curtism1234]

I think the honey malt is what turned it darker. I made the mistake and put 6% into an american wheat last time and it was just a tad lighter than an all extract wheat beer. 4% in a delicate beer like yours is probably still a little much, in terms of color. Maybe 2-3% imo. It should still be very tasty 

[Iliff Ave]

I think the honey malt is what turned it darker. I made the mistake and put 6% into an american wheat last time and it was just a tad lighter than an all extract wheat beer. 4% in a delicate beer like yours is probably still a little much, in terms of color. Maybe 2-3% imo. It should still be very tasty 

I think 3.5% from the original recipe should be okay but I agree that once you get over 5% in a light beer it can become too much. I do one that has 7% and will be backing that down to 5% next attempt. It actually worked okay because I have some tartness from other ingredients that balances out the malty sweetness.

[IMperry9]

Just wanted to update everyone on how this beer went. Just cracked a bottle open after work and it was amazing. The honey malt and the biscuit malt blended perfectly to provide a sweet light bready flavor. The hops balance everything perfectly toning down the sweetness. I definitely will be brewing this one again. I like how the WLP001 turned out very clean but I still want to try it with the WLP008 sometime. Cheers!

[Iliff Ave]

Good to hear. Looks like a solid beer!

[69franx]

Just wanted to update everyone on how this beer went. Just cracked a bottle open after work and it was amazing. The honey malt and the biscuit malt blended perfectly to provide a sweet light bready flavor. The hops balance everything perfectly toning down the sweetness. I definitely will be brewing this one again. I like how the WLP001 turned out very clean but I still want to try it with the WLP008 sometime. Cheers!

This is great to hear. I liked the recipe and made it myself. Its been in bottles for about 5 days now, and the intention is that this will be our RV trip beer, and that trip starts a week from today, so fingers crossed. I also used SO5 for my yeast and harvested for the first time. This will be a great yeast builder for almost everything I like to make. Thanks for posting and I will post my thoughts after tasting it myself