Home Brew Forum

Just finished brewing my Bobek Pale Ale. This beer has a few uncertainties with it though . . . the mashtun let through quite a few small grain particles (so I may end up with tannin beer), the vacuum seal on the hops had failed at some point while they were in the freezer (so the estimated bitterness may be off the mark) and the sparging went a bit quicker than planned, so my efficiency is down!

So, the recipe was (given that I've got only low colour MO in on the grain front at the moment):

4011g LC MO (mashed at 69 deg C)

42g Bobek 5.2% for 60 minutes
42g Bobek 5.2% for 15 minutes (+ 1 No. protofloc tablet)
20g Bobek 5.2% steeped

Danstar Nottingham yeast.

Calculated OG: 1042
Actual OG: 1040

Estimated bitterness: 35 IBUs

The mash went very well, the £10 argos sleeping bag really retained the heat well - temperature dropped less than 2 degrees over the hour! Quite pleased with that. Less pleased, however, with the grain particles I mentioned that managed to get through. Touchwood it hasn't had a big impact on the beer. Sparging was super quick, although that probably didn't help matters.

I was concerned about how murky the wort was looking as I was cooling, but after I gave it some vigerous stirring it seems to coagulate the proteins and it dropped crystal clear. Bizarre.

Given that I didn't start until after 9 this morning, I am pretty pleased with the progress! The FV is tucked up now.

Chosen Nottingham has I want this beer drinkable in 2 weeks time really. So 5 days ferment, then rack into the barrel for 9 days. Hopefully that'll be sufficient!

That looks like a perfect beer or the weather we have been having for the last few days, lets hope it stay nice for the next couple of weeks!

nice work, kev

That should taste really nice, its similar to my Hornswaggle, and i love the taste of Bobek/styrian

I`ve just done a Blond using only Lager Malt and its a very nice light summer ale,just need some more summer
to do it justice.

Down to 1011 now and the yeast is dropping pretty steadily. I shall rack tomorrow. Aroma is fantastic, very styrian like, with a nice hoppy flavour profile leading to a slightly sweet finish at the moment. I expect it shall become a bit more distinctly flavoured once it's dropped bright though. I am thinking it isn't bitter enough though, there is a nice bitterness to it initially, but it seems to lose the battle against the residual sweetness in the aftertaste.This is just low colour MO too, so there's no caramalt or anything like that to be fighting for the spotlight.

It's on a shade earlier than expected as guests are around tonight. Very tasty, but needs a little more bitterness and a good deal more late hops. Still drinkable though.

That is looking just... sweet

Nice looking pint there Yash

Thanks to the 2 guests tonight, half the barrel is now gone.

Wasn't quite clear, but that said, that brewday wasn't exactly faultless so I guess I should count my blessings that I've got a reasonably clear pint.

Alright yashimacat, took a sample from a beer I made from a beer I made with Aurora because you recommended it. Loving the aroma off it so far.

Bobeks are a nice hop, hop(e) this goes well.

mysterio wrote:Alright yashimacat, took a sample from a beer I made from a beer I made with Aurora because you recommended it. Loving the aroma off it so far.

Bobeks are a nice hop, hop(e) this goes well.

Yeah Aurora are very different. I think I'll be making a beer with them again. As fror the Bobeks . . . yeah, they are nice, I just think I need more in the late hops to satisfy my hop thirst.