15 replies to this topic

[Big Nake]

My ESB made with 1099 is ready to head to secondary and on Sunday 3/22 I'm going to use the yeast for this unusual British Blonde or British Summer Ale...

British Summer Ale

3 lbs Rahr Pale Ale
3 lbs Avangard German Pilsner
3 lbs Wheat Malt
1 oz US Goldings 4.9% for 60 minutes
1 oz US Goldings 4.9% for 10 minutes
1 oz US Goldings 4.9% in the 175° whirlpool
Wyeast 1099 Whitbread Ale Yeast

OG: 1.051, FG: 1.012, IBU: 28, SRM: 4-5, ABV: 4.9%

This Rahr Pale Ale Malt has quite a bit of color and depth to it. So much so that some "blonde" beers I make and envision coming in around 4 SRM or so end up more in the 6 SRM range. So I decided to use it for part of the grain bill and cut it with pils. I was originally going to use 50/50 RPA and Pils and then I remembered that I had some additional wheat malt and did a 33/33/33. I know, it's kind of weird. I'm going to mash it at 150° because the 1099 is a low-attenuator and I don't want the beer to finish sweet. The lower mash temp and my water should create some crispness and maybe the wheat will counter that with a bit of softness. All filtered tap water with a very small CaSO4 addition and the rest CaCl. Ferment in the low 60s. With the bready & crackery profile of this yeast, this should be a really nice warm weather, out-in-the-backyard beer. Cheers.

Edited by Village Taphouse, 21 March 2015 - 02:14 PM.

[neddles]

Sounds nice. What do you think of the US Goldings as opposed to the East Kent variety?

[Big Nake]

Sounds nice. What do you think of the US Goldings as opposed to the East Kent variety?

They have always been very clean but with that English floral character that most English hops have. Maybe it's because they're grown here that they seem fresher, cleaner, etc. but every time I use them they smell wonderful coming out of the bag and going into the boil. Their real draw is as an aroma hop but I have a bit of these and thought the AA% would be fine for bittering and that I would just use one hop in this beer. The ESB that I made used all EKG that I got from Farmhouse and they looked and smelled nice and vibrant. I got the US Goldings from Farmhouse too. Cheers.

Edited by Village Taphouse, 21 March 2015 - 02:53 PM.

[positiveContact]

sounds nice.  will def be light and crisp.

[Big Nake]

Another added benefit of this recipe: The beer should be very clear because this 1099 flocs like its getting paid for it. The ESB I just racked was roused a little on Friday but when I racked it to secondary just now... it looked filtered. So this Summer Ale version should [hopefully] be oh-so clear. Cheers.

[Big Nake]

Brewday is done and was smooth and uneventful. I got a very nice, clear & golden wort from this recipe and my guess is that the beer will be just as I envisioned... SRM 4-5. These US Goldings looked very fresh and they smelled great. These hops and this yeast should give it a nice English character.

[Big Nake]

Having some buds over today to hang in the backyard, swim, grill, drink beer and eventually watch the Blackhawks. It's warm and schputzy here today so something light would be a good beer. I didn't want to drain the pilsner I currently have on tap (I wanted to leave it for my guests) so I connected a cobra tap to this British Summer Ale in my on-deck fridge so I could try it. Man, did this beer come out "beery". The balance is perfect. The flavor and aroma are outstanding. I think that the varied grain bill had something to do with it especially the wheat. The first glass was a little cloudy because I added gel to the keg. The second glass was better and I will snap a shot later if I have the chance. This beer may have to be one of my 'regulars'... it's smooth and delicious! Cheers.

Edited by Village Taphouse, 13 June 2015 - 01:20 PM.

[Steve Urquell]

Looks good Ken. Do you feel it has enough British malt character? Also are you missing the lack of crystal? Getting ready to brew my EIPA and remembering I've never done one I've been happy with.

[Big Nake]

Looks good Ken. Do you feel it has enough British malt character? Also are you missing the lack of crystal? Getting ready to brew my EIPA and remembering I've never done one I've been happy with.

I wasn't really worried about having british malt character in this particular beer. British hops and yeast, yes but malt... not really. If it were an EPA, ESB or another type of bitter, I would want the british malt character including some good british crystal.

[MyaCullen]

I wasn't really worried about having british malt character in this particular beer. British hops and yeast, yes but malt... not really. If it were an EPA, ESB or another type of bitter, I would want the british malt character including some good british crystal.

I think sometimes we homebrewers get a little too hung up on ingredient origins when trying to brew to certain foreign styles, brewers in those countries are (gasp) perfectly willing to use US hops, grain etc.. if it suits them, in their local brews.

[Big Nake]

I think sometimes we homebrewers get a little too hung up on ingredient origins when trying to brew to certain foreign styles, brewers in those countries are (gasp) perfectly willing to use US hops, grain etc.. if it suits them, in their local brews.

Agreed. I think the best approach on it would be to know what you want from the beer and then use what you know will help you with that. Brewing with a lot of different ingredients helps you to know what to use and when.

[Big Nake]

Okay, so despite the amount of beer I had last night, today I am having a bit more of it (after working in the yard and biking this afternoon)...





This beer came out so nicely that for a moment I thought... I accidentally tapped into a keg of one of my pilsners instead of this British Blonde Ale... but no. It's the British Summer Ale. The color in the pics is slightly darker than reality and the beer is uber-clear. The 1099 flocs nicely and then I gelled it in the keg after it was cold too. Really nice recipe. Cheers.

[neddles]

Looks really awesome. 

[MyaCullen]

Looks really awesome. 

that's a Ken Lenard™ beer for damned sure

[Big Nake]

that's a Ken Lenard™ beer for damned sure

 

Gold and wimpy?  Cheers gang.

[MyaCullen]

 

Gold and wimpy?  Cheers gang.

clear and tasty looking