Large V0.1

[erebus]

Bit of weird one this.
Large is a fictional drink from Robert Rankins The Brentford Trilogy (a trilogy in eight parts, so far). A while back Castle Rock brewery brewed and bottled 2000 pints of Large, but I never had the chance to try one.
So yeah I'm trying to produce a fictional pint, that even when it was produced I never got to taste. Think of this as more of producing a pint in the spirit of Large.
All I've got to go on is a quote from a press release.
[quote]According to Castle Rock head brewer, Adrian Redgrove, the ale is a very traditional 4.4 abv reddish coloured bitter made with Maris Otter barley, fuggles and cascade hops.
“This was a challenge that just had to be met,â€

[steve_flack]

Toasted Malt?

I've heard of roasted malt giving a red flavour (as do certain other ingredients) but I wouldn't go mad using a lot of roasted malt in a bitter.

Cascade Hops: Have you ever tasted Sierra Nevada Pale Ale? That's what Cascades smell and taste like. Usually they are used as a late hop. There's nothing to stop you using higher alpha hops for aroma and flavour. Many US beers use hops like centennial, amarillo, columbus or simcoe that frequently have alphas well above 10% for late hopping.

[Minus The Bear]

I think you may have just introduced me to a new author for me to read, it may help break up my obsession with Jasper Fforde.

I think brewing a fictional beer is a brilliant idea and i hope it all goes well!

[MightyMouth]

If you have Pro Mash then here are a few Fictional Beer recipes from Lord of the rings.

http://www.promash.com/recipes/lothlorien.zip
http://www.promash.com/recipes/prancingpony.zip
http://www.promash.com/recipes/balrogeye.zip

[erebus]

@steve
Well I heard about Toasted Malt somewhere on this forum, basically you simple roast pale malt for about 15-20 minutes. I thought I may as well give it a try, it's certainly looks different;
Exhibit A, Maris Otter Pale Malt

Exhibit B, Toasted Pale Malt (Gas Mark 2 for 20 mins).

I've got some Styrian Stunner available which uses about the same amount of total pale malt so I can see what effect it's had if any.

As for Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, I've never had any of that either. Just cracked the open the cascade and it certainly smells wonderful.

@Minus The Bear.
Start with the Brentford Trilogy, they're my favourite. But bear in mind the stories are a little weird, for example some of his other books feature Elvis with a time travelling brussel sprout in his head doing battle against the anti-christ.

[Minus The Bear]

Start with the Brentford Trilogy, they're my favourite. But bear in mind the stories are a little weird, for example some of his other books feature Elvis with a time travelling brussel sprout in his head doing battle against the anti-christ.

Thanks for the advice, will add the first book to my amazon wish list and cross my fingers that i may find some in charity shops!

[spearmint-wino]

MightyMouth - I don't have promash (BeerToolsPro on a mac) but am curious to see what the recipes are like. Any chance you could post the 'text export' of them?

[MightyMouth]

Unfortunately I don't have ProMash either, I just came across them one day while looking around. ProMash have a trial so I suppose I could install it and give you a print screen if that would help.

[Maltloaf]

Thanks for the advice, will add the first book to my amazon wish list and cross my fingers that i may find some in charity shops!

Try your local library - he's popular enough so the books should be there. I've just read "The Brightonomicon" which is quite nuts. Some good tongue-in-cheek beer names going on aswell.

Nothing beats a pint o' large, I fear I'd be tempted to make it 'large'r than 4.4% though.

Cheers,
ML.