Fullers Bengal Lancer

[micmacmoc]

No, I'm not looking to clone BL as in the Jamil show, I'd just like to do something thereabouts. I find it much more fun starting with a ballpark recipe and then wandering away from that to suit my taste. I started doing this with GW's exmoor gold, now my recipe has munich malt and cascade hops! So I've ordered my first liquid yeast (WLP005 was all that was available), which I'll split for use in other brews. I'll do some playing with yeast after this, capturing etc. Its all steam ahead with 'bombay dancer'....well once my HLT/Boiler is mended.

[Normski]

I like that. Bombay Dancer.

[micmacmoc]

Heh, think gorgeous Indian Bollywood lassies!

Heres what I'll put in my to do list:
Like I say....its not supposed to be a clone....just in case anyone copies it and then berates me for innacuracy...as if anyone would on here?
(!)

Bombay Dancer
23lt
1050-1012(80% efficiency) 5%ABV 45EBU 11EBC

Pale Malt 4500
Flkd Barley 150
Torriwheat 150
crystal 60


Fuggles (3.8%) 90 20g
EKG (7.4) 90 20g

Fuggle (3. 15 30g
EKG (7.4) 15 30g

Fuggle (3. 5 20g
EKG (7.4) 5 20g


Its time to play with liquid yeast so when that arrives, WLP005.... if not then windsor dried. Or a captured should I get time.

[phatboytall]

Did anyone every try this and get anything like Bengal Lancer?

I might try and ask Fullers brewer on twitter if it contains crystal, I suspect it does as part of their partigyle process?

Thoughts?

[jmc]

I noticed that Fuller site said Bengal Lancer Uses Golding hops

From : http://www.fullers.co.uk/rte.asp?id=175

Bengal LancerAvailable in cask (5.0% ABV) and Bottle (5.3% ABV)
Fuller's Bengal Lancer is a traditional India Pale Ale, brewed using the finest English malt and Goldings hops to evoke memories of the first versions of this pale amber, distinctively hoppy and superbly refreshing style of beer.

India Pale Ale is an historic style of English beer that traditionally was always strong and well hopped, it was first brewed in the 19th Century to refresh the troops in India during the time of the British Empire - perhaps the most famous of these troops being the Bengal Lancers; Cavalry regiments whose dashing exploits have passed into folklore.

I harvested the yeast from Bengal Lancer last year and used it in quite a few brews, o suprised to see in previous post that it was suggested BL was pasturised.

Once I used this Fuller's yeast I rarely went back to using dry yeast, except US05 for some US hoppy brews.

Fuller's yeast is great & drops like a stone.
At the moment I'm doing a Hophead clone with WLP002 (instead of US-05) brewed cool 17-18C to reduce esters for a clean, clear hoppy pint

[Normski]

Did anyone every try this and get anything like Bengal Lancer?

I might try and ask Fullers brewer on twitter if it contains crystal, I suspect it does as part of their partigyle process?

Thoughts?

Hi Paul

I've made a very similar brew. Just an IPA really. Pale Malt and Goldings and Fullers Yeast. That'll get you close. You can then tweek it to suit yourself.
Fullers use 2% Crystal.

I read the following from Fullers Brewing Manager Derek Prentice, but Im not sure when it was written.

At Fuller’s, we brew our English-style IPA using pale ale malt with a very small amount of crystal malt (about 2%) in the grist. We use Fuggles and Goldings hops as main kettle bittering hops, Goldings as a late kettle hop, Goldings and Target as dry hops.

Norm

[jmc]

Hi Normski

Maybe you saw quote here?
http://byo.com/stories/beer-styles/arti ... m-the-pros

At Fuller’s, we brew our English-style IPA using pale ale malt with a very small amount of crystal malt (about 2%) in the grist. We use Fuggles and Goldings hops as main kettle bittering hops, Goldings as a late kettle hop, Goldings and Target as dry hops.

We use proprietary strains of yeast in our brewery, but for brewers who want to emulate the style at home, I would recommend using ale strains, preferably those which attenuate well and do not produce very fruity/estery flavors in the beer.

[mrlard]

do you think that reference is based on their pale ale recipe not bengal lancer? from memory bengals got alot of colour for 2% crystal

[Normski]

Hi jmc & mrlard
Yeah looks like thats where I saw it. That was from 2010, so quite upto date.
I have just looked at a bottle of Fullers Bengal Lancer I have in the cupboard and it's very pale.
I think 2% will take it to about 10 EBC,It may be a little bit darker than that but not much. Maybe upping the crystal to 4% will be closer on colour but it may unbalance the flavour. Please let us know how yours turns out. This is a great beer and one I'd love to improve upon.

Norm

[mrlard]

Right i am off out to grab myself a bottle

[mrlard]

Right its been a few hours since getting back from the shop and now the sun is over the yard arm i decided to have a pint or two. All in the name of research of course plus a good opportunity to get a few starters going!

BL is alot paler than i remember i recon 2% could be about right however i am sure percise colour is tweeked a bit.

Going to have ago with info supplied above and see what i end up with will report back