Irish Red Ale?

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Djehuty

Irish Red Ale?

Post by Djehuty » Tue Mar 16, 2010 9:11 am

I'd like to start my all-grain brewing with an Irish red ale -- it was the first beer I made, out of a kit, so there would be a certain symmetry. I've searched the forums, and found advice to keep things simple, and also to use CaraRed malt for color. My first shot at a recipe for this beer (which, I must admit, is down to guessing) is:

(edited slightly upon further research)

8 lbs. Maris Otter
1 lb. CaraRed
1/4 lb. roasted barley
1/4 lb. toasted barley
1.5 oz. Fuggles hops (bittering)
White Labs Irish ale yeast

So how far am I off the mark? :)

(By the way, if this is the wrong forum for questions about recipes, please let me know.)

colonial

Re: Irish Red Ale?

Post by colonial » Sat Mar 20, 2010 8:23 pm

I'd say that the colour and grain types look spot on to me. The hop choice and amounts are great as well. Looks nice and balanced.

Personally, I'd dial down the roasted barley to about 0.15 lbs, though. It'll still be nice and red with the Carared, but the bitterness of the roasted can compete too much with the lovely, caramel and toasted maltiness from the other two specialty grains. I normally add 0.25 lbs. of wheat malt for some mouthfeel and a bready flavour addition.

Just my two bits. Actually racking an "Irish-American" red today - hoppier (31 IBUs) and a mix of Fuggles and Cascades. Not to style, I know, but we'll see how she turns out.

Djehuty

Re: Irish Red Ale?

Post by Djehuty » Sun Mar 21, 2010 8:06 am

Thanks! :) That's good advice, I think I'll take both of those suggestions.

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