Next couple of brews

[mysterio]

I've just ordered some WLP810 lager yeast, this is a steam beer yeast that works at ale temperatures:

SAN FRANCISCO LAGER YEAST -WLP810
This yeast is used to produce the "California Common" style beer. A unique lager strain which has the ability to ferment up to 65 deg. while retaining lager characteristics. Can also be fermented down to 50deg. for production of marzens, pilsners & other lager styles.

Heres a couple of recipes I have planned for it, a steam beer and a Koelsch. I plan to pitch the Koelsch on top of the yeast cake from the steam beer to try and get the best attenuation possible (Koelsch is a dry style). Hopefully have my fermentation chiller built soon so I can keep the temps at about 15C. Let us know what you think!

Geoff's Steam Beer
California Common Beer

Type: All Grain
Date: 28/10/2006
Batch Size: 5.10 Imp gal
Boil Time: 60 min
Brewhouse Efficiency: 65.0

Ingredients

Amount Item Type % or IBU
5.40 kg Pale Malt, Maris Otter (3.0 EBC) Grain 92.2 %
0.45 kg Caramel/Crystal Malt - 60L (125.0 EBC) Grain 7.8 %
48.00 gm Northern Brewer [7.00%] (60 min) Hops 31.3 IBU
28.30 gm Northern Brewer [7.00%] (15 min) Hops 9.2 IBU
28.30 gm Northern Brewer [7.00%] (0 min) Hops -
1 Pkgs San Francisco Lager (White Labs #WLP810) Yeast-Lager

Beer Profile

Est Original Gravity: 1.052 SG
Bitterness: 40.5 IBU
Est Color: 17.5 EBC

Mash Profile

Name Description Step Temp Step Time
Step Add 15.82 L of water at 73.3 C 67.0 C 60 min

Geoff's Kölsch
Koelsch

Type: All Grain
Date: 28/10/2006
Batch Size: 5.10 Imp gal
Boil Time: 60 min
Brewhouse Efficiency: 65.0

Ingredients

Amount Item Type % or IBU
5.70 kg Pilsner (2 Row) Ger (2.5 EBC) Grain 95.0 %
0.30 kg Wheat Malt, Ger (3.9 EBC) Grain 5.0 %
60.00 gm Tettnang [4.00%] (60 min) Hops 22.2 IBU
1 Pkgs San Francisco Lager (White Labs #WLP810) Yeast-Lager

Beer Profile

Est Original Gravity: 1.052 SG
Bitterness: 22.2 IBU
Est Color: 6.0 EBC

Mash Profile

Name Description Step Temp Step Time
Step Add 16.20 L of water at 63.0 C 63.0 C 60 min

[Frothy]

oh for some good lager - so you primary ferment at 15oc and lager outdoors? Do you think it would be possible to get away with using marris otter instead of lager malt?

Matt

[mysterio]

I've got an old fridge for lagering at about 2C. The 15C primary is deliberately slightly high because these two styles are supposed to have a bit of fruitiness. Old fridges are pretty easy to come by so if you have the space it's definately the way to go.

Yeah, why not use maris otter, it's worth a try. The maltier taste is more suited to English style ales apparently but it's not a particularly noticeable in the all base malt ales I've made.

[Frothy]

Just had a read in Palmers -

"California Common (Steam Beer) - Characteristically using lager yeasts at higher temperatures causes the beer to develop some of the fruity notes of ales whilst retaining the clean crisp taste of lager beer. Historic American beer style developed in san fransisco Bay ~ 1850's. Steam refers to a high degree of carbonation and served as a high-tech sounding name. Predominantly using High AA hops with a more herbal character."

I don't know if you've tried them but I love the Samuel Adams Boston Lager and the Sierra Nevada Summer festival lager (both in Tescos at the mo.) To me they are both very fruity and much more like a lager should be I'll definately give this style a go sometime. Nearly got the keggerator up and running which I hope to also use as a lagering fridge. Might try primary fermentation outdoors and lagering in the fridge maybe.
http://www.willmottw.fsnet.co.uk/brew/k ... or/keg.jpg

when are you hoping to brew?
Matt

[mysterio]

I would be a bit wary about brewing outdoors because the temperature can drop a fair bit at night, yeast don't like fluctuations. My porch is a steady 15C give or take a degree so i'm using that for ales at the moment. I've seen SN summerfest but it was about £1.60 a bottle I'll have to hit up Tescos when I get some cash. Planning to brew the steam beer in a week or so.

You could try building a fermentation cooler? http://home.elp.rr.com/brewbeer/chiller/chiller.PDF

[mysterio]

I picked up & dusted off a six pack of Anchor Steam for the first time today. Good stuff, flavour & aroma was dominated by the Crystal malt with a fairly light body and a slightly fruity/herby aftertaste. I'm not sure why I decided to clone this beer before I'd tried it...

[Vossy1]

I'm not sure why I decided to clone this beer before I'd tried it...

Did either of the beers surprise you?

I would go so far as to say that the ASB is one of the best ales I've ever had....and I've had a few.

[Frothy]

I've seen SN summerfest but it was about £1.60 a bottle I'll have to hit up Tescos when I get some cash. Planning to brew the steam beer in a week or so.

You could try building a fermentation cooler? http://home.elp.rr.com/brewbeer/chiller/chiller.PDF

Ah these beers may be expensive but my excuse is "research" where abouts did you guys purchase the Anchor Steam Beer?

The chiller is a cool idea. Cost wise I was fortunate enough to already have the freezer to mod & I've mounted a PID controller so I can regulate it to within a degree from 0oc upwards. The mod only cost ~£25 with an SSR, plug, socket etc.

will you do us some piccies when you do it?
Matt

[Vossy1]

where abouts did you guys purchase the Anchor Steam Beer?

Got mine from selfridges

[mysterio]

Got mine from a Mexican/American deli called Lupe Pintos in Glasgow. They also had Anchor Porter and Liberty Ale from what I could see.

ASB is definately good for an American beer. I was surprised it wasn't hoppier, I thought it would be dominated by the Northern Brewer hops but the flavour/aroma is on the maltier side. It was very similar to Vienna style lagers like Negro Modelo IMO. I'm going to brew my steam beer with more body I think, I find Anchor a bit on the watery side.

[Frothy]

ah seems I may have a hunt on my hands then.

Just checking - although they use lager type yeast (saccharomyces carlsbergensis) you don't actually lager these beers just primary ferment at 15oc for a couple of weeks?

Matt

[mysterio]

As far as I know Anchor don't lager their steam beer, but Kolschs are usually lagered for clarity.

[Andy]

Was just in the Hogs Back Brewery shop picking up some malt and noticed that they have Anchor Steam (£1.70), Liberty and Porter on the shelves, quite a few bottles of each.

http://www.hogsback.co.uk/interim/breweryshop.htm

Not sure if they post out beers other than their own - worth a call.