Hophead (VI)

[floydmeddler]

Let us know what your FG is Toby. What was your OG?

[ajh800]

I had US05 finish at 1004 before from 1044, but oddly, it wasn't actually that bad. (I actually suspected my hydro but then did a calc and correction with the refractometer, and it read the same). No idea why - I don't think it should ever attenuate that much...

A recent brew, 5240gm M.O. 150gm wheat malt, then hopped with cascade, simcoe, nelson sauvin, (US05) went from 1.052 to 1.004 - 6.3% abv. It is a bit on the dry side, but thats the beauty of home brewing. If mashed at 65C (example: as per a Brewery within the city walls of York), if majority of grain bill M.O, US05 regularly drops to 1.004 - 1.006 range. A very light bodied beer and as hoppy as you like.

Worked down Southhampton way last week, wasn't good - for me. Too much, wishy washy bland, olde English style traditional ale around. Maybe the pubs I visited weren't promoting talented local micro breweries? However, there could be lots of potential if someone there mashed at 65C, with more fermentable grains and hopped with some exotic hops.

Not to worry, home now.

Happy brewing chaps

[WishboneBrewery]

I suppose the LOW FG of US-05 could be used for a Lager-a-like ale.

[ajh800]

Agree, lager like body, but unleased tastes available from the variety of hops out there.

[Toby]

Let us know what your FG is Toby. What was your OG?

OG was 1.040, not checked FG yet, bubbling away quite happily, but I've had a problem with US-05 attenuating too far in the past. Should be done by the weekend, so I'll update then.

[floydmeddler]

Just bottled mine there. Tasting OK. Bit 'wattery' but have often found this at the bottling stage. Ended up with 23L and primed with 45g of sugar which works out at 2.35 Volumes of co2. This usually gets me close to cask styled ales. Just enough for a foamy head.

Fingers crossed this will be nice.

[Toby]

Pretty sure the last version of this I did tasted watery at racking, but as you say improves over time, then pretty much drank it to the exclusion of everything else till I got the dreaded sucking sound from the corny. No idea how it all went so quickly.

[CrownCap]

Quick update on my recent effort. 2 weeks In the bottle now and I cracked a couple open yesterday evening (Hasn't quite cleared down yet (no finings used) so I'll whack then in the fridge to speed that up).

Haven't had a Hophead in a while so hard to realistically compare, but I reckon the flavour is pretty good although the aroma isn't quite as in-yer-face as I remember or wanted (still not too bad though). Has more body, but that is what I wanted. So not quite Hophead, but very nice all the same.

It took 200g of cascade, but I finally have a decent hoppy brew again!

[floydmeddler]

Quick update on my recent effort. 2 weeks In the bottle now and I cracked a couple open yesterday evening (Hasn't quite cleared down yet (no finings used) so I'll whack then in the fridge to speed that up).

Haven't had a Hophead in a while so hard to realistically compare, but I reckon the flavour is pretty good although the aroma isn't quite as in-yer-face as I remember or wanted (still not too bad though). Has more body, but that is what I wanted. So not quite Hophead, but very nice all the same.

It took 200g of cascade, but I finally have a decent hoppy brew again!

Good stuff. WIll try mine on Wednesday at will have been in the bottle for a week. Hoping the gravity hasn't dropped further.

[CrownCap]

Good stuff. WIll try mine on Wednesday at will have been in the bottle for a week. Hoping the gravity hasn't dropped further.

Given how dry yours turned out I'm glad I had some Nottingham knocking around and used that instead of US-05!

[floydmeddler]

Good stuff. WIll try mine on Wednesday at will have been in the bottle for a week. Hoping the gravity hasn't dropped further.

Given how dry yours turned out I'm glad I had some Nottingham knocking around and used that instead of US-05!

Don't rub it in!!!!

I had a pint of Hophead recently and was drier than I remember so I'm thinking mine might not be too far from the real thing. Will do this brew again but will defs mash higher in the hope it will attenuate lower. Tempted to get a 'take away' Hophead and do a gravity reading on it just out of curiosity...

[WishboneBrewery]

Tempted to get a 'take away' Hophead and do a gravity reading on it just out of curiosity...

Bear in mind there are always slight differences to stated ABV to actual ABV on a per-brew basis.

[floydmeddler]

Tempted to get a 'take away' Hophead and do a gravity reading on it just out of curiosity...

Bear in mind there are always slight differences to stated ABV to actual ABV on a per-brew basis.

So... breweries don't always keep it 100% consistent? Glad to hear it! Makes me feel better about my own inconsistencies.

[floydmeddler]

Supping a pint of this now.

Not annoyingly dry at all I'm happy to report!

In comparison to the real deal?

Colour defs there
Hoppiness might be slightly lacking in comparison the Hophead but by no means lacking generally; it is a very hoppy beer.
Thinking aroma might be slightly lacking too as is the body. Put this down to mashing too low though.

I need to do a side by side comparison to really gauge the similarities / differences.

Taking these camping on Saturday and reckon they'll go down very well!

[GBH]

Hi all
Definitely want to try Hophead recipe!

would you say that I should use the Dry Safe Ale US-05 as indicated here? Are the results ok?
Also what are you all using cascades for the bittering hops and in what quantity?

How about a liquid yeast? would a smack pack be better and what sort of one would I use ie a london or something?

Got my brew technique off , just need to master the yeast side of things as been using dried most of time.

Thanks guys!