First Ordinary Bitter.

mr bond · Post by **mr bond** » Fri Jun 20, 2008 8:42 am

Well after almost 10 years brewing I realised I'd never attempted a good old Ordinary Bitter.I've done quite a few best/special bitters and an array of IPA's along the way, but never an OB.

I've read as much as I could find online and consulted the style guidelines and have decided to turn one out for assessment in a local(State based) comp in a couple of months time.

Below is the recipe.I'm committed to this as the final version.
Caramunich II is my choice of crystal as its a little more subtle and less cloying than some others I've used,hence the almost 10% of grain bill component.I would usually stick with 5% max for a brew but am looking for a little extra oomph to bolster a lower alcohol beer.
Cascade hops are not traditional either, I know, but they are a past fave of mine that I think will work well with this style to add a little more interest.I'm not expecting or wanting an overt citrus profile, more of a subtle floral/citrus character redolent of an English hop,hence the conservative 1gm/L flame out addition.

Mashing at 65/66c for 90 mins.

Curious to hear you guys thoughts on this combo, or experiences from any one who may have done something similar.

Type: All Grain

Batch Size: 20.00 L
Brewer: Mr Bond
Boil Size: 22.89 L Asst Brewer:
Boil Time: 60 min Equipment: My Equipment
Brewhouse Efficiency: 75.0

Ingredients

Amount Item Type % or IBU
3.00 kg Pale Malt, Traditional Ale (Joe White) (5.9 EBC) Grain 90.9 %
0.30 kg Caramunich II (Weyermann) (124.1 EBC) Grain 9.1 %
25.00 gm Cascade [6.30%] (60 min) Hops 20.9 IBU
20.00 gm Cascade [6.30%] (30 min) Hops 12.9 IBU
20.00 gm Cascade [6.30%] (60 min) (Aroma Hop-Steep) Hops -
1 Pkgs SafAle English Ale (DCL Yeast #S-04) Yeast-Ale

Beer Profile

Est Original Gravity: 1.039 SG

Est Final Gravity: 1.010
Estimated Alcohol by Vol: 3.7 %
Bitterness: 33.8 IBU
Est Color: 15.8 EBC Color: Color

steve_flack · Post by **steve_flack** » Fri Jun 20, 2008 8:49 am

If you wanted something a bit more traditional yet still floral/citrus you could use Styrians instead (if you can get them).

mr bond · Post by **mr bond** » Fri Jun 20, 2008 9:02 am

Yeah, I love my Fuggles DaaB.I'm sipping on my Fuggle/Viennna IPA as I type(5.30 pm Adelaide time)

Styrian Goldings are a brilliant hop too SF, I agree.I've done a few single hop Styrian brews in the past.

I'm a bit of a Fuggle tragic, Be it the UK variety, or Styrians, or the US Willamette, they are all up the top of my fave hop list.A 100% willamette best bitter got me a 2nd in category in a comp 2 years back.

Cascade just seemed worth a try as I haven't used it for some time ,and its got a little fuggle in its parentage.

I'll definitely post some feedback in the future.

clogwog · Post by **clogwog** » Sun Jun 22, 2008 9:06 am

Mr Bond, do you happen to know or be Dr Smurto?

mr bond · Post by **mr bond** » Sun Jun 22, 2008 10:14 am

clogwog wrote:Mr Bond, do you happen to know or be Dr Smurto?

No... and No.....

Dr Smurto does post here however.

spearmint-wino · Post by **spearmint-wino** » Sun Jun 22, 2008 12:25 pm

mr bond wrote:A 100% willamette best bitter got me a 2nd in category in a comp 2 years back.

Care to share the recipe?

I have a bag of Willamette in the freezer and not sure what to do with it!

mr bond · Post by **mr bond** » Sun Jun 22, 2008 1:40 pm

spearmint-wino wrote:
mr bond wrote:A 100% willamette best bitter got me a 2nd in category in a comp 2 years back.
Care to share the recipe?
I have a bag of Willamette in the freezer and not sure what to do with it!

I'll dig out my brew journal tomorrow and post it.

From memory it was MO,maize, and a smidge of chocolate for colour.

mr bond · Post by **mr bond** » Sun Jun 29, 2008 1:18 pm

Did this brew today exactly as the above recipe.
All went off without a hitch,currently sitting in fermenter on 18c waiting for the yeasties to "kick in"

ECR · Post by **ECR** » Sun Jun 29, 2008 1:34 pm

Excellent. Glad it went well

Iank · Post by **Iank** » Sun Jun 29, 2008 4:58 pm

Nice one. Good luck with the competition

mr bond · Post by **mr bond** » Sat Aug 02, 2008 3:14 am

Well here it is lads.3 weeks in the bottle and its tasting awesome.
Nice subtle caramelly malt nose with a gorgeous floral hop aroma.
Smooth easy drinking ale.It should improve a little more with age, but I gotta say this is one of my simplest ,yet tastiest brews to date.

ECR · Post by **ECR** » Sat Aug 02, 2008 10:11 am

Looking good

mr bond · Post by **mr bond** » Sun Aug 03, 2008 1:52 am

ECR wrote:Looking good

Thanks mate,I'm hangin out to put it in a local comp now and see what the judges have to say.

drsmurto · Post by **drsmurto** » Wed Aug 06, 2008 2:11 am

mr bond wrote:
ECR wrote:Looking good
Thanks mate,I'm hangin out to put it in a local comp now and see what the judges have to say.

SABSOSA by any chance Mr Bond? Am getting my beers ready for my first go in this comp to get some feedback. Dont have anything in the OB category other than a sorta Rogers clone.

mr bond · Post by **mr bond** » Wed Aug 06, 2008 7:20 am

drsmurto wrote:
mr bond wrote:
ECR wrote:Looking good
Thanks mate,I'm hangin out to put it in a local comp now and see what the judges have to say.
SABSOSA by any chance Mr Bond? Am getting my beers ready for my first go in this comp to get some feedback. Dont have anything in the OB category other than a sorta Rogers clone.

Thats the one.I've been putting beers in for about 8 or 9 years now.
A bit hit and miss with the feedback some years.Most of the local brewers who judge give great feed back that is helpful.
Who Knows you may just jag a medal or trophy as an added bonus.
I stewarded another comp a few years back and got to taste 30 odd beers in a day.after tasting a lot of em ,I felt quite happy with my creations.plenty of off and infected beers kickin around out there.

best of luck D.S

Jim's Beer Kit

Practical Homebrewing

HomeBrew Forum

Sponsored by BREW-SCHOOL

First Ordinary Bitter.

First Ordinary Bitter.