AG#3

[RichardG]

Well, two AG's under my belt now, so thinking about the third. Looking at a slight departure by introducing a fourth grain. I also have to consider the seemingly very high efficiency that I seem to be generating. So the recipe I have in mind so far is;

Batch size 25Ltrs

MO pale malt 3750g
Crystal malt 210g
Chocolate malt 100
Torrified wheat 150g

Challenger 40g 90mins
Fuggle 20g 5.0AA 15mins
Fuggle 10g 5.0AA 5mins

Probably use Nottingham yeast. I'm considering challenger for bittering; the actual amount will depend on the AA when I get them (but I'm certainly open to alternative suggestions), and I'm also considering droping the 5min addition and adding to the 15min addition, or even droping it all together, as I'd like the emphasis to be on the malt rather than the hops with this one.

The above is based on 85% efficiency which is what I seem to have achieved in my first two brews. If correct I'll get an ABV of 4.1%; 75% will give me 3.7%. Either will be fine. So, what do you think? Any comments?

[196osh]

Looks good. I would probably use SO4 instead as Nottingham doesnt add much, good for hoppy stuff though.

I would add the 5 mins Fuggles at flame out or 80C

[RichardG]

Many thanks for that 1960sh; some interesting ideas. I can see where you're coming from on the use of S04; think I'll follow your suggestion and give it a go. Regarding the last hop addition, how would I handle cooling in that case? if added a flame-out would I be correct in assuming that I switch on the IC, add the last hops, and just leave things to run there course until transferring to the FV? As to 80c addition I recall that it this case I should add the hops at 80c, switch off the IC for a period of time (30mins rings a bell for no reason I can remember), then switch on the IC again. Can anyone one confirm please? Many thanks in advance.

[crookedeyeboy]

Bang on. Its the best method ive found for preserving hop aroma and flavour.

[RichardG]

Bang on. Its the best method ive found for preserving hop aroma and flavour.

I assume you're referring to the 80c additon for a 30min steep? As a matter of interest how would you say that compares to dry hopping?

[196osh]

The flavour is different I would say. The hops are more mellow and less grassy from the 80C steep. A better malt balence with lower abv beers from the 80c steep.

Your thoughts on the 80C addition sounds a ok.

[RichardG]

Well, as is always the way with this sort of thing I've carried on pondering and now have an alternative idea for AG#3; very different (in some ways) from my earlier thoughts. Based on the same brew length of 25Ltrs and mash efficiency of 80%, and now thinking of a more powerful beer, maybe along the lines of Bishops Finger, ESB, that sort of thing (but not a clone of either I should stress). So, how about;

Pale malt 4500g
Crystal 750g
Torrefied wheat 100g

For hoping I'm thinking of a dual purpose hop; say challenger or northdowm, to about 40IBU's. I think fuggles for late additions as I have 40g in the freezer I'd like to use, probably 25g at 15mins & 15g for steeping. Yeast; probably SO4. So, my concern as such is that that seems like a lot of crystal, and I worry it'd be too sweet. Would the bittering IBU's be sufficient to balance that oout? Any thoughts on a good bittering combination with fuggles? I'm with OSB in some ways; I do like the thought of 'English' hops for my brews (though I will branch out and experiment IDC!) and I'm always open to suggestions.

[Deebee]

thats about 14% crystal

The max in a batch would be around 20% if i recall correctly.

Thats a lot of crsytal to my mind anyway.

can i ask why you are thinking of using that much. it might be a little cloying.
I think i would up the pale, drop the amount of crystal to sat 320 and have some carapils in there. This wil help a little with Body.

I think i would also up the torri as well.

If you are using S04 then you will lose a lot of the hop flavour som may wish to up the IBU a little or at least up the late amount.

based on a recipe that i use a lot i might suggest an alternative.

I have adjusted the figures for 25 litres at 80%

3750 pale malt
300 carapils
300 wheat/torri wheat
100 crystal

Bittering hops to 27 IBU for a 60 minute boil

Fuggles to 4 ibu at 15 minutes
fuggles to 1.5-2 ibu at 5 minutes.

I have used target as bittering.

I have made this with both S04 and WLP 007. For this beer i liked the S04 best as it happens.

Just a thought. hope you don't mind the hijack.

[RichardG]

No problem at all Dave, I certainly don't mind the 'hi-jack'! Is carapils also known as something else? I ask as I thought I'd do a little search to see what properties it brings, and I can't seem to find it. I think that, given the amount of wheat you've quoted I'd be tempted to go with wheat malt (personal thought based on not-very-much really ). Either way, I hear what you say; reduce the crystal to more 'manageable' levels, and replace (if required) by something else, such-as cara-pils. Good. I'm liking the ideas here, so I'll go away and ponder. BTW, anyone else who wishes to contribute, feel free!

[RichardG]

Okay, it seems carapils equals caramalt? maybe minor differences but nothing significant; or am I hopelessly wrong on that one?

[coatesg]

Much the same except for colour I think and maybe caramalt is perhaps a bit sweeter - they are both caramelised malts. It's a fairly good substitution if you have to swap it out.

[Deebee]

Richarrd, did this ever get off the ground?