One to wet the babys head??

[Deebee]

I just found out i am going to be a dad for the third time and am over the moon.

As is sort of tradition the babys head has to be well and truely wetted after birth and with this in mind i thought i would like to invite some friends around for a beer or several.

Even though it is still very early days and there are plenty of things that can go wrong, I thought it would be good to make the celebratory beer myself. It does not matter if it needs to condition in corny kegs for a few months either.

Being new to this AG game and having only ever brewed from ready established and tried recipies i wonder if there is anyone who might like to help me with a recipe.

I would be looking for a 5 gallon brew length ( 25 liters in kegs to be exact)

The beer should be well flavoured and darker than pale ale.

I have access to centennial hops, challenger, fuggles ,target, progress ,ekg, first goldings, a little pilgrim, cascade, and Northdown( and can likely get others if i need to).

I am looking for a tasty but not too hoppy beer suitable for wetting the babys head, without removing mine in the same instance.

I would really appreciate it if someone would be good enough to either suggest a recipe, or tell me how i go about deciding what i should use so i can put one together myself. I don't understand how this is all worked out, and neither do i have enough knowledge to know what hops do what.

Thanks.

[JammyBStard]

Well congrats!

You might want to try one of the brewing software programs such as Beer Smith or Pro Mash. I use Beer Smith http://www.beersmith.com/.
you could add the recepie you have that nearest to the beer your aiming for and tweak the grain and hop values to get the beer you want.

[Deebee]

Well congrats!

You might want to try one of the brewing software programs such as Beer Smith or Pro Mash. I use Beer Smith http://www.beersmith.com/.
you could add the recepie you have that nearest to the beer your aiming for and tweak the grain and hop values to get the beer you want.

Thanks for that.

I don't feel i know enough about the different bitterness of hops etc. But i have had a go on an online recipe calulater ( that i can get into from the work PC!!)

Here is what i have got, so if someone can throw some light on how this will likey taste, or if you would be so kind as to come with some tweaks then i'll keep trying to make others. I have good time, and can do this after the new year. anyway here is what i have.

25 litre brew length

80.6 % 7.50 lb British Pale malt
5.4 % 0.50lb British Cara-Malt .
1.1 % 0.10 lb British Chocolate
5.4 % 0.50 lb Belgian Wheat
7.5 % 0.70 lb British Amber

1oz bramlings cross ( 60 minute boil)
.5 oz Challenger ( 15 minute boil)
.5 Oz bramling cross 15 minute boil)Either london yeast ( liquid) or SA 04

this should give the following:-



OG 1035
FG 1012
IBU 33
SRM 11
ABV 4.5%


Can someone tweak this please ?

As i said i know far too little about the hops so i think thatthis is where the problem lies if there is something wrong. I am hoping for something hoppy and tasty withoiut being too bitter.

Thanks

[JammyBStard]

I plugged your brew into Beersmith and got similar results to your online system.

I've never used Bramling Cross, but I dont think its a bittering hop so I replaced it with Target and spread out the rest of your hop additions to give better Aroma and taste:

The later you add Hops to the boil, the less bitterness is imparted and the more flavor/Aroma is retained. Very late additions and dry hopping is mainly for aroma.



I looks good to me, but you might want a second opinion before you start.

Where do you live? I used my local water specs, if your in London you might need to treat your water.

[Deebee]

Thanks for that.

I don't live in the Uk but the past has never given me any problems with water.

I am thinking that it might be an idea to drop the total ABV to around 4 or under in order to have a tasty hoppy session celebration beer.

It is a slightly darker beeer than the pale ales i guess due to the chocolate malt. I might add 1 oz of hops at the start of the boil as first planned, i am looking for something fresh tasting..... I'll keep experimenting when time allows.

Thanks for your help.

[JammyBStard]

Good luck with it;

Remember though, adding hops at the begining of the boil will increase the Bitterness but won't do a great deal for the flavor!

[Deebee]

With the help of Paul at BB i have come up with this one.

Paul tells me that it should be fresh and almost citrussy.

4.2kg MO
0.2kg Crystal pale
0.08kg Chocolate ( although i might reduce this just a bit)

28 g Northdown 8.5% ( 60 mins)
30 G First gold 7.5%( 15 mins)
20 g Crystal 3.5% ( 1 min)
Safe ale S04) althugh i do have some London yeast as well.

What are the reccommendations on the yeast for this one?

it gives a colour of around 12.4 SRM IBU 32 and ABV around 4.1%

Thanks

[JammyBStard]

If your after a clean taste then Nottingham yeast is probably the best bet.