Next brew recipe - any tips?

[bitter_dave]

I'm brewing at the weekend, assuming I manage to get the yeast from the Harveys brewery :pink

I've put this recipe together, which I'm hoping is going to be a bit like Harveys. It is a slightly adapted version of a previous attempt which had some of the hop characterisics. Feedback for improvements welcome...

3,800g Pale malt
225g Crystal
225g Flaked maize
225g Soft brown Sugar

65g Goldings (full 90 min boil)
20g Goldings (20 mins)
15g Goldings (steeped for 20-30 mins after boil).

Should be about 1041 (1044 according to promash) at about 75% efficiency and 31-ish IBUs.

One thing I'm concerned about is the crystal malt. Harveys does not have a very strong flavour of crystal malt, at least I can't detect it - but I know that it is used. I went for 5% of the fermentables as Crystal: does this sound reasonable for a beer which has only subtle flavours from this?

Any other suggestions for improvements very welcome

[mysterio]

I've never tried Harveys so take this FWIW,

I usually use half a pound of crystal (as you are) with nice results. You could try the 'lower colour' crystal that H&G offers for less crystal flavour, or replace a part of it with Carapils.

Looks like a nice balanced beer though. It will probably be on the dry side with the maize & brown sugar. What yeast are you using?

[Bigster]

Dont know if its the same but Dave Line BBLTYB has a Harveys Sussex Best Bitter - OG the same but ingredients differ in doesnt have crystal malt and 60g goldings and 30g Norther brewer

[norman]

Dave, Protz in the real ale almanac,states the following
SUSSEX BEST BITTER og 1040
Maris Otter and Pipkin pale malts
crystal malt
flaked maize and brewing sugars

Bramling cross fuggles goldings and progress hops

[bitter_dave]

Thanks guys, that's all useful stuff

Bigster, you are right that the Harveys in Dave Line's book is the same one, and it is this recipe that I'm adapting. However, his recipe is far too bitter IMO - I think this may be because the Northern Brewer hops are much stronger than in his day - I tried the recipe :blink: . Second attempt I did I just used goldings and steeped some goldings at the end. This tasted a bit like Harveys, but the hop flavour could be added to - so I'm adding some hops at 20 mins to the end. I also found out that Harveys contains Crystal malt, so I added that to the recipe as well.

Daab - good idea to look at Wheeler's book for comparison - I note that gales best has a similar amount of crystal (slightly less), so I guess I'm in the right area as the beers are similar in that regard I'm guessing.

The actual beer apparently contains 4 types of hops, but I think the goldings gave a similar flavour on their own last time and I can't be arsed with dealing with that many types of hops - at least at this stage.

I guess it is a reasonably dry bitter, although not excessively so - It certainly doesn't have the sweet edge of, say, Black Sheep (IMO). If you want to try Harveys Sussex Best you'll have to come to East Sussex - I've never seen it elsewhere, but it seems to be everywhere here. I need to perfect my version in case I move away

Ultimately I want to make a nice beer, so any advice is gratefully received

[bitter_dave]

QUOTE (norman @ Aug 24 2006, 09:25 AM)Dave, Protz in the real ale almanac,states the following
SUSSEX BEST BITTER og 1040
Maris Otter and Pipkin pale malts
crystal malt
flaked maize and brewing sugars

Bramling cross fuggles goldings and progress hops
Cheers Norman - didn't see your post until after I'd written my last message.

I got the info about the hops and grain indirectly from Protz's almanac - from this http://books.iuniverse.com/viewbooks.as ... 1&page=fm1 that compiles info on beer ingredients for brewers.

I just picked up my Harvey's Yeast from the brewery :pink Was expecting to have to come back tomorrow to pick it up for brewing on Saturday, so the yeast is sitting in the fridge. Does anybody know:

1) How long I can leave it in the fridge before using?
2) How long, if at all, do I have to bring the yeast out the fridge before pitching?

[PieOPah]

QUOTE (bitter_dave @ Aug 24 2006, 12:38 PM) 1) How long I can leave it in the fridge before using?
2) How long, if at all, do I have to bring the yeast out the fridge before pitching?
You should be able to get away with 2-3 weeks.

I would probably bring the yeast out the night before to bring it to room temperature

[Bigster]

This is what my local brewery , Bath Ales, said in reply to exact same question the other day

QUOTE as for yeast – it should be ok in a fridge for 3-4 weeks. The yeast will remain dormant and inactive but you will ned to keep it air tight and allow it some time at ambient temp prior to pitching.
But the viability may be compromised (depending on wort temperatures) initially – well the first 24 – 36 hrs anyway.Please feel free to pop in when you can.

[bitter_dave]

thanks for the tips guys

I think I'll brew on Saturday and take the thermos out the fridge Friday night

[Bigster]

BD

How did your Harveys turn out ?

I am thinking of brewing this one using the DL recipe

[bitter_dave]

Funny you should ask that, I was going to post an update on this recipe. This beer has turned out great IMO. It has a really nice hop flavour, not overly bitter, and nice malt balance. Infact, I extremely temped to have one now, except I'm trying to get some work done It might become my house bitter, as it's cheap to make - less than a tenner for 40 pints - and tasty.

Anyway, enough bragging

I think you should have a go at the Dave Line Harveys Recipe - you seem to have had a good record so far of making his beers. I messed up the recipe the time I stuck to it (my first AG), so it was very bitter and I threw most if it away Even if I had hit my target, however, I'm convinced it would have been too bitter for me. I think this may be partly because Northern Brewer hops have much higher AAUs than in DL's days.

I worked out the IBUs of DL's recipe and IIRR it came out in the mid 40s, for a beer with a gravity of only 1040. I would therefore consider reducing the hops a bit. I'm also convinced DL meant to put some late hops in the recipe as well (after the boil). Having said all this, I don't like overly bitter beers, so it's all down to personal preference - your preference may well be very different to mine so you may just want to stick with the recipe as it is.

(Btw, Harveys also has Crystal malt which isn't in DL's recipe, but I suspect this may be because the beer has changed over the years).

Anyway, enough waffling from me - have a go and let me know how you get on

Crow Flies has also said he's made loads of DL's recipes, so if he's made Harveys he might be able to give another opinion.

[Bigster]

Infact, I extremely temped to have one now

Go on you know you want one

Well done on your brew - sounds like you are on a winner.

Thanks for the advice - I will give DLs a try. And I think I will take your suggestion about some late hops and put in both.

The reason this recipe caught my attention was the hops as I love abbot ale which has goldings & NB but wanted to try a lighter beer ( colour and strength ) for a change. Never tasted harveys so wont be able to compare but like the sound of it.

will let you know how it goes

Cheers