Been too long

[PieOPah]

Well, it has been a long time since I last brewed. The main problem is that I just haven't been able to find the time. Also, the shed was such a mess that I really didn't want to have to go in there to recover my kit.

So, after a few months off, I have finally tidied the shed and bought myself some fresh ingredients.

Since time is still a big factor - as is space now that the second baby is just about here, I have decided that I am going to make a couple of extract brews. This is purely so I have some beer on tap until I get round to some AG brews! Shouldn't be long until I get a couple more of them going.

I also decided to buy myself a coopers stout kit. Something for the reserves. Only thing is, do I make it as is or do I add a bit of extra speciality grains to give it some extra kick Anyway, that is something for way down the line!

So, after going to the brew shop, I have picked up enough stuff to hopefully make myself an Old Peculiar clone (hope I have some roasted barley in stock as the shop had none!).

One good thing about my trip was that I was able to pick up the last 2 issues of BYO for nothing They put their only copy out for people to flick through (I guess) but don't seem to sell it. The staff never know what to do so give it to me

Hopefully I'll have a quiet weekend next week - or a least a couple of hours in which I can make a quick brew!!!!

[Garth]

go for it Pop, I know it's difficult to do a brew without some kind of planning, and bairns require so much time and attention, I know, but grab that open time window with both sticky extract hands and go for it...

[PieOPah]

Well, my brew day is almost at a close.

I have brewed Theakstons 'Old Peculier' from Dave Lines BBLTYB. I don't normally make clones, but since I have 2 recipe books, I thought it would be wise to make use of them

The clone isn't quite strict to the recipe as I didn't have exactly what was needed. So, instead of Fuggles, I used Goldings. Instead of Saccharin tablets I used 5 teaspoons of Canderel. Rather than 2kg of Dark DME I used 1.5kg of extra dark DME and 500g of Medium DME. Also, I only had 500g of Soft Dark Brown Sugar so I used 280g of Light Brown Sugar and 220g of White Table Sugar.

So, not an Exact copy of a clone, but close enough Besides, it now has my personal touch and should still turn out to be a great tasting beer (just need to buy some treacle to prime with!)

I'll post pics later.....

[PieOPah]

Old Peculier (Dave Line Clone)
11-C Northern English Brown Ale

Size: 35.0 imp pt

Ingredients:
1.5 kg Dry Dark
0.5 kg Dry Amber
0.25 kg Roasted Barley
0.25 kg British Crystal 55°L
0.5 kg Dark Brown Sugar - Disolved and added to fermenter
0.28 kg Light Brown Sugar - Disolved and added to fermenter
0.22 kg White Table Sugar (Sucrose) - Disolved and added to fermenter
60 g Goldings (5.0%) - added during boil, boiled 45 min
1 tsp AYF Yeast Nutrient - added during boil, boiled 15 min
0.5 tsp Irish Moss - added during boil, boiled 15 min
1 ea Danstar Nottingham
5 tsp Canderel - with Yeast
100 g Treacle - Priming Sugar

[PieOPah]

35 Pints at 1.062 gravity. Yeast pitched at 14:30 @ 22C

[PieOPah]

I know how you all love photo's, so here are a few to keep you going

Old Peculier Slideshow

[mixbrewery]

If you're going to prime with treacle - try and search out the stuff in a squeezy bottle.
It's easier to use than trying to get half a teaspoon of thick sticky liquid into the top of a bottle.
I have a bottle of golden syrup for the priming of those few extra bottles you get once the cornies are full.

[PieOPah]

There are very very few occassions when I will prime bottles individually.

When I am using Priming tablets (just drop em into the bottle) or, when I am only bottling 2 or 3 bottles and the rest is in my KK.

Every other time I will prime in a bottling bucket. This will ensure that the priming sugar is evenly distributed through the wort and everything has exactly the same amount.

This means that when using treacle, all I need to do is heat my measuring spoon and dip in. The treacle will then slide off nicely with no mess

[PieOPah]

OK Gentlemen...place your bets, will it slide off the spoon easily (the long shot) or will PoPs and his bottles end up in a sticky mess (the favorite)

I'm priming in my keg - plus the treacle will be going into a measuring jug before being dissolved and poured in...

Just because I use weired and wonderful ingredients don't mean I don't know what I'm doing

[Vossy1]

Great pics Pop

Looking lovely and black

[PieOPah]

putting the spoon into the extract was about the same as putting it into cold water, the spoon cooled down almost instantly and the extract stuck fast to the spoon

Always worked for me when doing it with syrup....
Since I will be dissolving in water, having a jug of hot water to dip into might do the trick to get it off the spoon.

[CrownCap]

Any updates on this one PoP?

I've got a keg of Brupaks Old Ale that is about to expire (its been fantastic) and being a bit time deprived I am thinking about knocking this clone one out at the weekend to replace it.

Seems like a good way to lay down some pretty good beer in not much longer than it takes to do a kit (plus it'll be a good experience as I haven't done an extract brew before).

[Curious Brew]

My local supermarket is selling beer kits cheap so I thought i'd buy one to make a few starters

Your supermarket sells beer kits?

Who, where, when and how?

[PieOPah]

Tatstes quite good - although that was shortly after I primed it. Haven't had a taste for a couple of weeks now (been dry since my wife is ready to give birth!)

Will be a damn good winter warmer me thinks No idea how close to the original, but who cares

[CrownCap]

Cheers POP. Indeed, if it tastes good then it is good

And best of luck with the impending new arrival