Monthly Archives: February 2019

Batch 55: Alpaca

Brew Date: March 24, 2019

This year I’m re-branding Alpaca from a pale ale to a British golden ale, as I’m simply better set up for success on that style versus the more hazy, hoppy version it’s been in the past. Targeting around 4.5% ABV with a malt profile that is very light and subtle, yet offers crackery crispness along with a touch of English character. I hope to achieve this with a blend of continental Pilsner malt and Golden Promise. A small amount of flaked wheat should help with crisp character and hopefully keep the body from being completely thin.

For bittering, I’m sticking with a trustworthy English hop, but for flavour and aroma I’m going with Citra and a touch of Simcoe to emphasize the new-world, citrus hop character popular with the style. It doesn’t hurt that this is also my favourite hop in such a beer as well.

OG: 1.042
IBU: 36

Batch Specifics:
90 minute boil
26.5L pre-boil target
24L post-boil target
21L into the fermentor

Mash volume 16.0L
Sparge volume 13.3L

Mash Profile:
Dough in 15 min at 131F
Raise to 146F for 45 min
Raise to 153F for 20 min
Mash out 170F for 5 min

Water Additions:
3g baking soda
12g gypsum
3g calcium chloride

Boil 75 minutes

Grist:
60% Golden Promise (2.52 kg)
35% Bohemian pilsner (1.47 kg)
5% Flaked wheat (0.21 kg)

Hopping:
26 AAU of Nugget at 60 min [14g]
10g Citra @ 20 min
20g Citra @ whirlpool
10g Simcoe @ whirlpool

Other:
0.5 tablet whirlfloc @ 15 min

Dry hop (5 days) – 30g Citra, 10g Simcoe

Fermentation: WYeasy 1098 – British ale
Held at 66.5F for first 48 hrs
Raised to 67.5F for 24 hrs

Competition Results:

Vanbrewers Awards: 2nd place, XX points
Because Beer: 1st place, 40 points

Tastings:

Apr 15, 2019 – After only 9 days of bottle conditioning, it’s carbonated sufficiently and is surprisingly clear with minimal chill haze. WY1098 is impressive. Aroma is sweetened lemon and honey dew, with a touch of pie crust in the background. It’s got a medium full body despite the light malt character, with citrusy hop character throughout, and medium bitterness. The finish is decidedly English, with a bready yeast character becoming known without being too much. Finishes neither sweet nor dry. I’m really pleased with this and it’s extremely drinkable, my only complaint is that the bitterness is a bit low for the style.

Batch 60: Table d’Or

This is my first iteration of a Trappist single, using BJCP 26A as a guide. In addition to that characteristic Trappist yeast character, this should be a light-bodied and low-strength beer that exhibits pretty high bitterness and floral-spicy hop aroma and flavour. I am trying Weyermann’s Abbey malt for the first time. Based on its colour, I assume I should use a light hand with it, at least as I get to know it.

Target OG: 1.044
Target FG: 1.006
Target IBU: 38

Mash: TBD
Boil: 90 minutes

Water Profile: TBD

Grist:

86% Weyermann Bohemian Pilsener malt
6% Weyermann Abbey malt
4% Flaked wheat
4% Flaked oats

Hopping:

33 AAU German Tradition at 60 min (50g)
4 AAU CZ Saaz at 5 min (35g)

Fermentation:

White Labs WLP500