all grain headcracker

[Deebee]

Hi.
One of my all time favs is woodfordes headcracker.
I can only get it here in kit form which is extortionalely priced so i would like to have a crack at something similar.
I can taste crystal malts and maybe some caramunich. The citrus is likely something like cascades.
Its not overly bitter. Maybe 35ibu??
Anyone have any idea about a grist Nd hopping schedule?

[OvenHiker]

I don't have it to hand, but I believe it is detailed in Roger Protz's Real Ale Almanac.

Spotted this article which says: "Headcracker is brewed with Maris Otter pale malt, caramalt, Goldings and Styrian Goldings."

EDIT: Found it, OG 1069, ABV 7%, Maris Otter and caramalt, Goldings for 24 IBUs.

[seymour]

Woodfordes Headcracker
Woodforde's Norfolk Ales - Norwich, Norfolk, UK
Style: Barleywine
OG: 1069
ABV: 7.0%
Grainbill: Pale, Caramalt, Wheat Malt
Hops: Goldings, Styrian/Savinjski Goldings-Bobek
IBU: 24
Colour: orange amber
Yeast: proprietary Woodfordes brewery English ale strain, perhaps derived from Whitbread-B

I don't know the grainbill percentages, but I think something like 85% Pale, 10% Caramalt, 5% Wheat Malt would put get you in the ballpark. Bobek hops are very nice--I would guess the late additions, melding with the high alcohol into a beer perfume--are what you like best about this beer.

Happy brewing and merry Christmas!

[Deebee]

Seymour. You are the man!
I am thinking that the additions must all be late. Bobek is generally low alpha so additions from 30mins and down.
There are so many caramalts... are we talking one of the crystal malts??
Merry christmas to you too.

[orlando]

Yeast: proprietary Woodfordes brewery English ale strain, perhaps derived from Whitbread-B

Little inside info for you Seymour, originally Woodfordes used Charles Wells strain of yeast, which in turn might have come from Whitbread, but given how long Charles Wells has been brewing arguably their strain is distinct enough to make it different enough for it to be considered a stand alone.

[Deebee]

Interesting.
Managed to get a yeast packrt from one of their kits. Not sure this is the proper yeast but maybe it would be worth culturing it up.
Thoughts?

[orlando]

Interesting.
Managed to get a yeast packrt from one of their kits. Not sure this is the proper yeast but maybe it would be worth culturing it up.
Thoughts?

If you mean a Woodfordes kit I'm fairly sure it's put together by Muntons, so wherever they get their yeast from is what it is likely to be.

[OvenHiker]

If it hasn't already been mentioned, WLP006 Bedford Ale purportedly originates from Charles Wells.

[Deebee]

Interesting.
Managed to get a yeast packrt from one of their kits. Not sure this is the proper yeast but maybe it would be worth culturing it up.
Thoughts?

If you mean a Woodfordes kit I'm fairly sure it's put together by Muntons, so wherever they get their yeast from is what it is likely to be.

Now this is interesting as well. All reviews i have read regarding the kis says it is pretty close to the original. I am almostntepted to make a kit and see.

Either way wlp is something to remember when i make an AG attempt

[Chicken Dipper]

Headcracker is an amazing beer, Wherry is my all time favourite but I don't think that the kits are a close comparison. I read on here that someone had successfully cultured up their yeast from a bottle of Wherry. Whether it's the primary strain or not isn't clear I'm afraid. Got to be worth a try! Of course it's a long way to Woodbastwick from Norway!