Jim's Beer Kit

RE: 1850 Whitbread Porter Who do we believe? The DPBC or Ron P? ... I think we did cover that a while back? The 1970s work by the DPBC is remarkable for still being a valuable resource today. I don't think anyone can doubt the original DPBC work. But the little booklet they produced appears to have...

Assuming Ron managed to correctly decipher Hancock's handwritten brewing books, their 1888 XX has a ratio of 6 quarters of malt to 4 cwt of sugar. Your text of 1885 advises 6 quarters of malt with 4 cwt of sugar and 4 cwt of condensed wort for very rapid clarification. Funnily, last night I was eye...

It would appear the original recipe and brewing records are with Robinson's who own the rights. Some of the original financial and similar records are at the National Achives. What the original beer was like I wouldn't know, nor any versions brewed in other places as I've no recollection of even se...

I only met Graham the once. We got on well, despite our many arguments on the internet. He was one of the first to get seriously interested in historic brewing and inspired many others, me included. It's sad that he's gone.

I think they just used Goldings, but from different suppliers. Could be wrong. Probably not crucial as hops were mostly used for bitterness it seems. The grain bill was very simple, I think enzymatic was American 6-row, used to increase fermentability. It shows up in records from other years. I'm n...

BrannigansLove wrote:Bramling Cross maybe?

Yes, that's probably it.

I think they just used Goldings, but from different suppliers. Could be wrong. Probably not crucial as hops were mostly used for bitterness it seems. The grain bill was very simple, I think enzymatic was American 6-row, used to increase fermentability. It shows up in records from other years. I'm n...

It was a fun evening, even if much is a bit blurry. Great meeting Graham and chatting beer with everyone. Glad I had Dolores - the sensible one - to help me home.

Sorry to hear about your fall. Hope everything is going well.

I'll be signing (and hopefully selling) copies of Home Brewer's Guide to Vintage Beer this Saturday (28th March) and the Mad Bishop and Bear in Paddington station at 15:00 to 18:00.

Come along and have a chat with me, if nothing else.

https://www.facebook.com/events/816848985066637/

Be interested to hear how it turns out.

They add gypsum to their brewing water, for both Discovery and ESB.

Hi Seymour. According to THIS document on page 301 it states that Hertfordshire Record Office at County Hall have the brewing books for Simpsons from 1853-1860 and 1931-1954. Not sure if that office gives a service for long-distance research or if you have to go to there and search though. Some arc...

Thanks again! While I'm already bugging you, :) I have one more George Orwell related beer question. I came across this excellent article , which states: "...The beer Orwell would have carried home in that jug was Simpson’s dark mild from the little market town of Baldock, a few miles from Wallingt...

That's great info, thank you very much, Ron! That's a mighty adjuncty brew, huh? No wonder there aren't more fond memories from the era. That said, I still think a well-crafted hops-forward IPA can cover a multitude of grainbill sins. :) Have you ever seen any Charrington specifics from the late 18...

My guess would be that in 1950 Charrinton IPA had a grist something like this:

75% pale malt
15% invert sugar (probably No. 2)
10% flaked maize
caramel for colour correction