JBK Own ESB

[Padalac]

I like Geethom's suggestion - like fixing the grain bill and gravity, and bittering hop, then allowing a combination of 2 preferred aroma hops, then maybe a comp or judging to pick the best combi.. that might make it a bit more interesting

The cask version of fullers esb is 5.5% abv.. the bottled version 5.9%. IMO the OG shouldn't be too low, I think 1.050 a bit on the low side.

[Clibit]

My feeling is that if the spec is rigid it will reduce the number of people interested. A bog standard ESB recipe would reduce my interest, for example. I prefer to twist things a bit. But if you choose a twisted ESB recipe, that would put some people off too. So I would name a few malts and name a few hops, all English, restrict to any English ale yeast, and have a range of OGs and IBUs. The BJCP style guidelines for ESB are 1048 - 1060 and 30 - 50 IBUs. The malt guideline is "Pale ale, amber, and/or crystal malts, may use a touch of black malt for colour adjustment."

Unless the preferred approach is to set a fully specified recipe so that the exact same recipe made by different people in different places is the express purpose of the exercise? I've forgotten.

I think that using the ESB style guidelines as the spec, and restricting to any English malt/hop/yeast ingredients, would make it interesting.

[Jim]

We're in danger of having too many cooks as far as this recipe is concerned!

To break the deadlock, I'll make a decision on the recipe (and take the blame if nobody likes it!).

The recipe below can be regarded as my choice/official Jim's ESB : those that want to modify it can by all means do so, but they will be making a variation on the official version.

To keep it simple lets go with: -
85% Maris Otter,
5% Pale Crystal,
5% Caramalt and
5% Torrefied Wheat
...to make OG 50.

Bittering hops Challenger to 50 IBU ,
15 mins from end Progress (40g),
Flame out EKGs (40g).

Own choice of yeast. Optional dry hop with EKGs in cask.

The late hops will affect the bitterness slightly, but not enough to make a huge difference.

(EDITED to add late hop quantities)

[Padalac]

sounds good jim!

[Cpt.Frederickson]

Good call Jim

[Deebee]

We're in danger of having too many cooks as far as this recipe is concerned!

To break the deadlock, I'll make a decision on the recipe (and take the blame if nobody likes it!).

The recipe below can be regarded as my choice/official Jim's ESB : those that want to modify it can by all means do so, but they will be making a variation on the official version.

To keep it simple lets go with: -
85% Maris Otter,
5% Pale Crystal,
5% Caramalt and
5% Torrefied Wheat
...to make OG 50.

pants. means I need to buy some progress then.



Bittering hops Challenger to 50 IBU ,
15 mins from end Progress (40g),
Flame out EKGs (40g).

Own choice of yeast. Optional dry hop with EKGs in cask.

The late hops will affect the bitterness slightly, but not enough to make a huge difference.

(EDITED to add late hop quantities)

[Jocky]

To keep it simple lets go with: -
85% Maris Otter,
5% Pale Crystal,
5% Caramalt and
5% Torrefied Wheat
...to make OG 50.

Bittering hops Challenger to 50 IBU ,
15 mins from end Progress (40g),
Flame out EKGs (40g).

Are the 40g of each of the late hops based upon a 5 gallon/23 litre recipe?
Might be better in talking about grams per litre.

[Andy]

Are the 40g of each of the late hops based upon a 5 gallon/23 litre recipe?
Might be better in talking about grams per litre.

Hop type, addition time and IBUs would be better IMO.

[Jim]

Are the 40g of each of the late hops based upon a 5 gallon/23 litre recipe?
Might be better in talking about grams per litre.

Hop type, addition time and IBUs would be better IMO.

Is that really needed for the late hops though? They don't have a huge effect on the overall bitterness. I think grams per litre might be better.

[Clibit]

I like the look of that Jim. Nice one. I've just bottled something very close today, minus the pale crystal and the EKG. Tasted good from the FV!

[WalesAles]

Can I vote for no chicken/cockerel on the ingredient list.

I'll second that motion!

Wimps! The pair of you!

WA

[GeeThom]

OK/ Jim has spoken and those who want to take part can do so within the remit that Jim has laid down

How do we follow this? Should those taking part post their adapted recipe, brew it and record the Brewday with pics if possible.
This in itself is probably enough but how do we actually compare the product of each different recipe?
Relying on the opinion of the brewer themselves is not enough in so how do we actually determine which variant should be adopted as the bona fide Jim's ESB standard recipe?

[Pinto]

OK/ Jim has spoken and those who want to take part can do so within the remit that Jim has laid down

How do we follow this? Should those taking part post their adapted recipe, brew it and record the Brewday with pics if possible.
This in itself is probably enough but how do we actually compare the product of each different recipe?
Relying on the opinion of the brewer themselves is not enough in so how do we actually determine which variant should be adopted as the bona fide Jim's ESB standard recipe?

Trial by competition isn't really in the spirit of what this is about IMO ( I think those like me, with their cheap coolbox mash tun and campden water treatment scheme would be a little disadvantaged against the pro-lads around here ) So I too would rather stick to the basic recipie already given as stated by the man on the label, and keep that as the "standard"

I do think you're on the money with your other suggestions too - if you vary the recipe, (or even not), then a post in the brewdays forum so we can see what you did, how it went and what you ended up with. There are also a few other well respected tasters in the membership who im sure would be happy to offer opinion on your varient and post those to the rest of us.

We can all then take what we want from it and use it as we see fit

[Jim]

.............How do we follow this? .........

Brew some beer, either following the exact recipe or using your own variation.

I would encourage everyone to post a brewday thread with pics (and recipe if a variant).

Drink and enjoy. By all means bottle swap, or send some to a trusted taster if they are willing.

But above all, let's just do it and enjoy it!

[ArmChair]

I for one will be brewing this, and will get it in the line up of brews I have on the go.


I also don't mind sampling other peoples ESB, and would be happy sending mine in for reviewing