Is this the Way? 12-10-08

[jamesb]

After the disaster the other day : viewtopic.php?f=2&t=16774

Let's give it another go. I've had this one planned for a while...

Is this the Way?
----------------
Brewer: James Bendall
Style: Special/Best/Premium Bitter
Batch: 23.00 L All Grain

Characteristics
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Recipe Gravity: 1.045 OG
Recipe Bitterness: 40 IBU
Recipe Color: 11° SRM
Estimated FG: 1.011
Alcohol by Volume: 4.4%
Alcohol by Weight: 3.4%

Ingredients
-----------
British crystal 95-115L 0.20 kg, Grain, Mashed
Maris Otter Malt 4.00 kg, Grain, Mashed
Torrified wheat 0.20 kg, Adjunct, Mashed

Amarillo 20.00 g, Whole, 90 minutes
Amarillo 10.00 g, Whole, 45 minutes
Amarillo 10.00 g, Whole, 15 minutes
Amarillo 40.00 g, Whole, 0 minutes

Ale yeast 1.00 unit, Yeast, Nottingham
Irish Moss 1.00 unit, Fining, 1tsp

Water's on, a little later than expected. I didn't get to bed until 8:30 am

[sllimeel]

James

Looks a very nice recipe, have a good day and look forward to your tasting notes

[jamesb]

First hops have just gone in.

Another smooth running day... wonder what can go wrong?

Cleaning my first cornie at the same time to rack off a previous beer. I'd just like to mention that I too have joined the fortunate bunch of genetic freaks who can get their arms in and get to the bottom of a cornie

The whole street smells like a brewery now. I love it.

[jamesb]

Found out what went wrong...

Broken hydrometer

Never mind. Saved a sample to check tomorrow when I pick a new one up from LHBS or Wilkos.

Right. I do declare it's Beer O'Clock.

[fivetide]

Nice one. I have 100g of Amarillo knocking about, so share the results in a few weeks time eh?

[jamesb]

You think I can wait that long? It's still bubbling away and everytime I look at it I break out into a sweat

[jamesb]

I've just racked this off to secondary and it tastes fantastic. Should be even better when it's finished.

I'm tempted to dry hop it with the Amarillo I've got left. Votes?

[adm]

Definitely.

[jamesb]

Update:

I'm meant to be putting it in the cornie tomorrow but I've just grabbed a pint of it.

I'd probably have a bit less of the crystal next time but the hoppy flavour is superb. Juicy and grapefruity.

It would definately benefit from dry hopping though, which I'll do tomorrow and then leave it alone again for a couple of weeks.

[sllimeel]

James

Why are you saying less crystal next time, for colour or sweetness reasons

[jamesb]

James

Why are you saying less crystal next time, for colour or sweetness reasons

Both really. I think the taste should be married to a lighter beer. You can still taste the crystal even in that small amount. Perhaps some lager malt would set it off slightly better.