30 Aug 08 Hip Hop Hound AG#7

[Buzz]

Yes, all looks to be sorted now. Glad the camera came back

[mysterio]

Nice pics, I like the look of the recipe!

You need to get some finings on the picture of the pint though

[adm]

Nice pics, I like the look of the recipe!

You need to get some finings on the picture of the pint though

Yup - that's the last brew I did before I got any finings. Tastes great but is somewhat hazy. I'm not sure if it's chill haze or if it's caused more by the torrefied wheat I use for head retention.....or just generally being a beer brewing n00b. Funny thing is, the last few pints from that batch came out crystal clear, so i don't know if it had just had more time to settle or what. Could also have been from the fact that my original keg fridge went tits up, so all the cornys were moved out, jiggied aroud a lot and then put back into the new keg fridge....

Anyway... I have some KwikCleer finings now and will be experimenting with other types over the next few brews. Although probably not with isinglass yet as it seems to be a bugger to mix from whatI've read here.....

[adm]

Progress report.

This beer has just come into it's own. I've been drinking it for the last week or so and it's been OK. A little like Northdown Wonder in fact. It's got a nice lager malt crispness to it, plus a lovely big citrus hop nose to it and the same follow on on the palate. Packed with flavour, plus a really nice mouthfeel too.

BUT - I haven't had a pint for a couple of days and the one I've just had has been glorious - it's like a step change in the beer. No idea why, but it's suddenly got to where it needs to be.

Anyway...... it's still a little bit hazy, although lots clearer than last week.

I have to go to Ireland on Monday for a week, and my guess is that if there's any left by the time I go, when I get back it will be crystal clear and even better.

I don't think there will be any left though....these bloody cornies are too small.

[fivetide]

Tastes great but is somewhat hazy.

Two words.

Pewter tankard.

[adm]

Tastes great but is somewhat hazy.

Two words.

Pewter tankard.

[Toast]

Tastes great but is somewhat hazy.

Two words.

Pewter tankard.

Two words "old duffer"

[maxashton]

I have one for this purpose. And i'm proud of being an old duffer.

[Toast]

At the grand old age of 18, when I 'came of age', my mother bought me one...a college friend sat on it, reducing it to a lead envelope. Never liked the taste from it anyway. Each to their own I say!

[adm]

Anyway......here's how this beer looks now:


There's only a few pints left. Which is good as I need to make keg fridge room for Gail Porter and Old Nick who both got kegged today and need to be ready for drinking by Halloween.

This was a pretty good beer - not great as I had wanted more hop aroma, although it blows most pub pints into a cocked hat. Appearance is good - nice creamy head that stays all the way down the glass and leaves good thick lacing on the glass. Taste is good, there's caramel from the crystal malt and the lager and pale malt mix gives it a crisp, but smooth mouthfeel. All in all - about 15 out of 20 - a good pint, but needs more hop aroma for my tastes...

Next on the cards......an Imperial IPA. See this month's BYO. I want a REALLY, REALLY hoppy, citrusy number - preferably one that smells like marmalade. I'm thinking Aurora for bittering, and lots of Cascade and Amarillo for flavour and aroma. Lots of pale malt, plus some wheat malt for head, some crystal for caramel and a half kilo of pale kandi sugar to dry it out and boost the ABV. target around 8% or so. Maybe 100 IBU. It's going to be a hop monster.

[fivetide]

I very much like the sound of your hop monster! (well, apart from the ABV, that would kill me)

[leigh1919]

like the recipe mate - I'm bookmarking this one. Sounds right up my street, i love US-style pales.