Springhead Brewery Surrender

[Deebee]

Hi All.

I am looking for an idea for the recipe above.

its 3.65 ruby red and just simple. I think its northdowns as hops but am not sure. there is not that much bitterness, maybe 24-25 so am am guessing a largish bittering charge then a large nothdown steep for a long time.
Grist I am thinking
92% pale
8% dark crystal and something like so4 for some sweetness.
Any thoughts on this?

sounds like a job for Seymour.......

[seymour]

I believe you're close, but it's probably more like 92% Pale + 8% Amber Malt. Northdown hops in full-boil. I don't think they use much aroma additions. But sounds like you've tasted it and I haven't, so use your judgment. Also, they're one of the few commercial breweries who admit to using Nottingham yeast. Best of luck!

[Deebee]

I believe you're close, but it's probably more like 92% Pale + 8% Amber Malt. Northdown hops in full-boil. I don't think they use much aroma additions. But sounds like you've tasted it and I haven't, so use your judgment. Also, they're one of the few commercial breweries who admit to using Nottingham yeast. Best of luck!

8% amber is a lot of amber isn't it?

Wouldnt that turn out harsh?

[DeGarre]

Shirley less harsh than 8% dark crystal?

[Deebee]

Shirley less harsh than 8% dark crystal?

true enough. The description from the brewery is caramel notes and hoppy .

Maybe a combination of 4% crystal and 4% amber?

If they say its hoppy and northdown is the only hop ( I think I read this somewhere) then it must mean a large FO addition?

[seymour]

8% amber is a lot of amber isn't it?

Wouldnt that turn out harsh?

Y'know, that's exactly what I thought, but that info came straight from the brewery. They have another brew with 18% amber malt, so maybe they add it late in the mash or something to reduce the impact.

I've only used Thomas Fawcett Amber Malt, and a little definitely goes a long way. Maybe other malsters' versions are less intense. Or, maybe it's a semantic thing. Maybe what they call "amber malt" the rest of us call "crystal malt"? Sorry I don't know any more specifics.

[Deebee]

Have done some checking myself and they say you can use upto 20% amber in the mash so what the hell.

Another one for the to brew list.