Lager or Not, here I come.....

I've always wanted to try my hand at Lagering, but was unwilling to spend the big bucks and purchase a lagering fridge/freezer.  That and living in IOWA, the temperature swings can be pretty drastic day to day not ideal for maintaining a constant temperature.  Having moved up to the Arctic north (Minnesota) I thought I would try my hand at some garage floor lagering, well to be more specific, 4-seasons floor lagering.  We have a 4 seasons porch which we decided not to heat this winter but I noticed that despite no heat, it hovers around 40 degrees pretty consistently.

Besides always wanting to lager, I've always wanted to try brewing a Light Lager (Pilsner, Classic American?), so I figured now's my chance.  Below is the recipe I used, pretty basic for a Light Lager.  I wanted a light beer like the common American commercials (Miller, Coors, Bud), but with the malty hoppy tastes of a German style Pilsner.   I didn't have much in terms of Noble hops so I couldn't make a true German Pilsner so I decided to use ingredients common to both a Pilsner and an American Classic Lager. Next, I  spiced it up a little bit with the hop additions.  I used Citra hops for bittering these hops are supposed to be very citrusy and Saaz for the late addition.  Saaz has a very distinctive flavor. When used in beer, the resultant aroma is very mild, earthy, herbal and spicy.  

Brady's Lager or Leave it

Classic American Pilsner

 

Type: All Grain	Date: 1/9/2011
Batch Size: 10.00 gal	Brewer: Brady Brew
Boil Size: 12.00 gal	Asst Brewer:
Boil Time: 60 min	Equipment: 16 Gallon modified Commmercial Keg
Taste Rating(out of 50):	Brewhouse Efficiency: 75.00
Taste Notes:
Ingredients
Amount Item Type % or IBU 4.75 lb Pilsner Liquid Extract (3.5 SRM) Extract 28.79 % 2.00 lb Rice Extract Syrup (7.0 SRM) Extract 12.12 % 7.00 lb Pale Malt (2 Row) US (2.0 SRM) Grain 42.42 % 1.00 lb Cara-Pils/Dextrine (2.0 SRM) Grain 6.06 % 1.00 lb Caramel/Crystal Malt - 10L (10.0 SRM) Grain 6.06 % 0.50 lb Vienna Malt (3.5 SRM) Grain 3.03 % 0.25 lb Cara-Pils/Dextrine (2.0 SRM) Grain 1.52 % 1.00 oz Citra [12.30 %] (60 min) Hops 22.9 IBU 1.00 oz Saaz [4.00 %] (10 min) Hops 2.0 IBU 1 Pkgs American Lager (Wyeast Labs #2035) [Starter 125 ml] Yeast-Lager
Beer Profile
Est Original Gravity: 1.050 SG	Measured Original Gravity: 1.049 SG
Est Final Gravity: 1.012 SG	Measured Final Gravity: 1.012 SG
Estimated Alcohol by Vol: 4.90 %	Actual Alcohol by Vol: 4.82 %
Bitterness: 25.6 IBU	Calories: 217 cal/pint
Est Color: 5.0 SRM	Color: Color
Mash Profile
Mash Name: Double Infusion, Full Body	Total Grain Weight: 9.75 lb
Sparge Water: 7.56 gal	Grain Temperature: 72.0 F
Sparge Temperature: 168.0 F	TunTemperature: 72.0 F
Adjust Temp for Equipment: FALSE	Mash PH: 5.4 PH
Double Infusion, Full Body Step Time Name Description Step Temp 30 min Protein Rest Add 8.78 qt of water at 132.1 F 122.0 F 30 min Saccrification Add 7.80 qt of water at 206.7 F 158.0 F 10 min Mash Out Add 5.85 qt of water at 199.4 F 168.0 F
10min           Batch Sparge        Add 26.0 qt of water at 190.0 F       175.0 F
Mash Notes: A full bodied mash profile for beers requiring a protein rest. Used for beer with large portions of unmodified adjuncts such as unmalted wheat.
Carbonation and Storage
Carbonation Type: Forced	Volumes of CO2: 2.4
	Carbonation Used: -
Kegging Temperature: 45.0 F	Age for: 28.0 days
Storage Temperature: 40.0 F
Notes
I fermented initially at 55 degrees F for 6 days then moved to 68 degrees F for 36 hours (diacetyl rest).  Transferred to Secondary and lagered at 40 degrees for 4 weeks.  Depending on the flavor of this I may dry hop half of this batch.
Created with BeerSmith Slainte`

Hope for Emma JAB Club Brew Off Results

So as I stated in an earlier post, I always enjoy brewing especially when its for a good cause!  Being voted Best beer in the JAB club brew off is pretty awesome too!!!

My Emma's Chipotle Honey Brown Ale took first out of 18 different entries in the Hope for Emma Brew off.  I have to admit while this beer is damn delicious, there were many other great beers entered including the one I voted for made with real chocolate Nibs.

The Trophy is the Jack of All Brews traveling trophy  called the "Golden Mash Paddle".  It's usually awarded to club members every month for the best beer of style at our monthly meetings.  Unfortunately, my view from the top will be short lived as I will have to relinquish the Golden Mash Paddle at our next club meeting Feb. 11th.  Hopefully the GMP will return to my mantle again in the near future.

I also entered this beer into the Beer Dabbler Winter Carnival Homebrew Contest on January 29th. So maybe I'll have a new trophy to replace the GMP.  Fingers Crossed!

Slainte`

Hope for Emma

Great event, Great People, Great Beer, Great Day!  I was honored to take part in this fundraiser. It was a great opportunity for me to get to know some of the other homebrew club members and raise some money for a fellow member at the same time. 





If you would like to help, please make out a check
to "Hope For Emma", and send it to:

State Bank of Belle Plaine
 PO Box 87, 201 West Main Street
 Belle Plaine, Minnesota 56011-0087

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/emmagerman

Emma's Chipotle Honey Brown Ale

So after much pondering I decided to brew the following beer for the Hope for Emma Fundraiser and Jack of All Brews Club Brew off.  I'm not much of a Brown Ale man, as to me they're a very boring beer most of the time.  I decided to spice this one up and really try something out of the box.

The inspiration for this beer, actually came from a club meeting at our Jack of All Brews presidents (Eric Wentling) house.  As this meeting was winding down I got to talking with Eric about Meads and how I was thinking of trying one.  After a lengthy and eductional conversationa on the subject of Meads, Eric broke out a mead he had in his fridge for me to try.  This particular mead was a Chipotle Mead.  I had one sip and I was in heaven.  It tasted like something I would glaze a brisket in and smoke it all day.  A tiny tingle of heat with a great smokey flavor followed up by sweetness.  Extremely tasty!

When considering what to do with my Emma's Brown Ale, this Mead came to mind.  If I could meld the slight spiciness and smokiness of Chipotles and the sweetness of Honey with the malty backbone of a Brown Ale, I may have something pretty damn tasty in the end.  So that was my goal, to brew a Chipolte Honey Brown Ale.  Below is the recipe I came up with.  I boosted the Grain bill to give it a little more kick.  I figured that this may be pretty overwhelming beer and one may not be able to drink more than a couple in a sitting so I might as well get the alcohol percentage up a bit.

Emma's Chipotle Honey Brown

American Brown Ale

 

Type: All Grain	Date: 12/19/2010
Batch Size: 10.00 gal	Brewer: Brady Brew
Boil Size: 11.00 gal	Asst Brewer: Ken Finley
Boil Time: 60 min	Equipment: My Equipment
Taste Rating(out of 50): 35.0	Brewhouse Efficiency: 60.00
Taste Notes:
Ingredients
Amount Item Type % or IBU 12.60 lb Amber Liquid Extract (12.5 SRM) Extract 48.65 % 7.75 lb Pale Malt (2 Row) US (2.0 SRM) Grain 29.92 % 2.00 lb Caramel/Crystal Malt - 80L (80.0 SRM) Grain 7.72 % 1.00 lb Pale Chocolate Malt (120.0 SRM) Grain 3.86 % 0.30 lb Caraaroma (130.0 SRM) Grain 1.16 % 0.25 lb Peat Smoked Malt (2.8 SRM) Grain 0.97 % 2.00 oz Fuggles [4.50 %] (60 min) Hops 13.8 IBU 2.00 oz Glacier [5.60 %] (60 min) Hops 17.1 IBU 2.00 oz Styrian Goldings [5.40 %] (5 min) Hops 3.3 IBU 2.00 items Chipotle Pepper (Secondary 4.0 days) Misc 3.00 items Chipotle Pepper (Boil 10.0 min) Misc 2.00 lb Honey (1.0 SRM) Sugar 7.72 % 1 Pkgs London Ale (Wyeast Labs #1028) [Starter 500 ml] Yeast-Ale
Beer Profile
Est Original Gravity: 1.076 SG	Measured Original Gravity: 1.070 SG
Est Final Gravity: 1.018 SG	Measured Final Gravity: 1.014 SG
Estimated Alcohol by Vol: 7.62 %	Actual Alcohol by Vol: 7.32 %
Bitterness: 34.2 IBU	Calories: 316 cal/pint
Est Color: 21.7 SRM	Color: Color
Mash Profile
Mash Name: Single Infusion, Full Body, Batch Sparge	Total Grain Weight: 11.30 lb
Sparge Water: 8.82 gal	Grain Temperature: 72.0 F
Sparge Temperature: 168.0 F	TunTemperature: 72.0 F
Adjust Temp for Equipment: FALSE	Mash PH: 5.4 PH
Single Infusion, Full Body, Batch Sparge Step Time Name Description Step Temp 45 min Mash In Add 14.13 qt of water at 170.5 F 158.0 F
Mash Notes: Simple single infusion mash for use with most modern well modified grains (about 95% of the time).
Carbonation and Storage
Carbonation Type: Corn Sugar	Volumes of CO2: 2.4
Pressure/Weight: 7.6 oz	Carbonation Used: -
Keg/Bottling Temperature: 60.0 F	Age for: 28.0 days
Storage Temperature: 52.0 F
Notes
racked to secondary after 10 days and added chipotle pepper. beer tasted good with a minor hint of heat to it on the back of your tongue, but nothing overwhelming. needed alittle smokey ness to it to tie it all together.
Created with BeerSmith

Slainte`

I'm a Very Negelcting Blogger, I know!

But seeing how i'm probably the only one who reads this blog, I don't feel bad one bit.

So what's New?  well this:

Brady the Bitter

American IPA

 

Type: All Grain	Date: 10/17/2010
Batch Size: 10.00 gal	Brewer: Brady Brew
Boil Size: 11.45 gal	Asst Brewer:
Boil Time: 60 min	Equipment: 16 Gallon modified Commmercial Keg
Taste Rating(out of 50): 45.0	Brewhouse Efficiency: 65.00
Taste Notes:
Ingredients
Amount Item Type % or IBU 22.00 lb Pale Malt (2 Row) US (2.0 SRM) Grain 83.02 % 1.00 lb Cara-Pils/Dextrine (2.0 SRM) Grain 3.77 % 1.00 lb Caramel/Crystal Malt - 40L (40.0 SRM) Grain 3.77 % 1.00 lb Honey Malt (25.0 SRM) Grain 3.77 % 5.80 oz Columbus (Tomahawk) [14.00 %] (90 min) Hops 143.8 IBU 1.00 oz Simcoe [13.00 %] (Dry Hop 7 days) Hops - 1.00 oz Centennial [10.00 %] (Dry Hop 7 days) Hops - 1.25 oz Columbus (Tomahawk) [14.00 %] (45 min) Hops 26.6 IBU 1.67 oz Simcoe [13.00 %] (30 min) Hops 27.6 IBU 1.00 oz Columbus (Tomahawk) [14.00 %] (Dry Hop 7 days) Hops - 1.67 oz Centennial [10.00 %] (0 min) Hops - 5.00 oz Simcoe [13.00 %] (0 min) Hops - 0.75 lb Corn Sugar (Dextrose) (0.0 SRM) Sugar 2.83 % 0.75 lb Honey (1.0 SRM) Sugar 2.83 % 1 Pkgs Denny's Fav 50 labs (Wyeast #1450) [Starter 800 ml] Yeast-Ale
Beer Profile
Est Original Gravity: 1.065 SG	Measured Original Gravity: 1.065 SG
Est Final Gravity: 1.019 SG	Measured Final Gravity: 1.014 SG
Estimated Alcohol by Vol: 6.03 %	Actual Alcohol by Vol: 6.66 %
Bitterness: 198.1 IBU	Calories: 292 cal/pint
Est Color: 7.8 SRM	Color: Color
Mash Profile
Mash Name: Single Infusion, Light Body, Batch Sparge	Total Grain Weight: 25.00 lb
Sparge Water: 6.63 gal	Grain Temperature: 72.0 F
Sparge Temperature: 168.0 F	TunTemperature: 72.0 F
Adjust Temp for Equipment: FALSE	Mash PH: 5.4 PH
Single Infusion, Light Body, Batch Sparge Step Time Name Description Step Temp 75 min Mash In Add 31.25 qt of water at 161.4 F 150.0 F
Mash Notes: Simple single infusion mash for use with most modern well modified grains (about 95% of the time).
Carbonation and Storage
Carbonation Type: Forced Carb'd
Pressure/Weight: 7.6 oz
Keg/Bottling Temperature: 60.0 F
Storage Temperature: 52.0 F
Notes
Bottled half and kegged the other. put 1oz. Summit hops in the keg to dry hop and carbonated.  this is a hop bomb!! even after 1 month this is still delicious.

Brewing for a Cure

This whats its all about.  Being able to use ones skills to help out some one in need.  I enjoy brewing beer, but I have to admit I enjoy it more when its for a good cause.

"Chris German, Northern Brewer’s friend from Brewers Supply Group (aka The Folks Who Get Us The Grain), has a 4-year old daughter who recently was diagnosed with a type of cancer called Neuroblastoma. To help out Emma and other children fighting this battle (and help you help them too), we’re proud to bring you Emma’s Brown Ale."

Northern Brewer had the idea to sell a homebrew kit to generate some funds for the Children’s Hospitals of Minnesota because Emma is being treated at the Minneapolis hospital.

With all this in mind I put out an email at work, telling others about this Wonderful Homebrew kit with all proceeds go to a great cause.  I even offered to brew the kits for people if they purchased them.  To my surprise I got 3 responses of people who would be willing to buy them.  

 Along with that, the Jack of All Brews Homebrew club is putting together a Fundraiser on Jan. 15th to raise money for the German family.  Part of the fundraiser will include a club brew off in which participating members will buy the Emma's Brown Ale kit and brew it in anyway they want with whatever additional ingredients they want.  So I bought 2 kits thinking I could brew 10 gallons and donate one keg to the Hope for Emma Benefit. 

So as a practice run in brewing the Emma's Brown Ale for the Fundraiser, I brewed a 10 gallon batch of the Extract kit for 2 people at work.  I even got one of them to come over and help (drink beer).  Always fun to introduce someone to their first homebrew experience, one of the few things I thoroughly enjoy teaching.  The first run went well, except for thpart where I realized I was going to have to bottle 10 gallons of beer, By myself!  Been awhile since I've actually bottled a batch of beer, let alone a 10 gallon batch.

Mission Accomplished!

Emma's Brown Ale

American Brown Ale

 

Type: Extract	Date: 11/7/2010
Batch Size: 10.00 gal	Brewer: Brady Brew
Boil Size: 11.00 gal	Asst Brewer:
Boil Time: 60 min	Equipment: My Equipment
Taste Rating(out of 50): 35.0	Brewhouse Efficiency: -
Taste Notes:
Ingredients
Amount Item Type % or IBU 12.60 lb Amber Liquid Extract (12.5 SRM) Extract 83.44 % 2.00 lb Caramel/Crystal Malt - 80L (80.0 SRM) Grain 13.25 % 0.50 lb Pale Chocolate Malt (120.0 SRM) Grain 3.31 % 2.00 oz Glacier [5.60 %] (60 min) Hops 20.7 IBU 1.50 oz Styrian Goldings [5.40 %] (20 min) Hops 9.1 IBU 0.50 oz Styrian Goldings [5.40 %] (5 min) Hops 1.0 IBU
Beer Profile
Est Original Gravity: 1.046 SG	Measured Original Gravity: 1.045 SG
Est Final Gravity: 1.012 SG	Measured Final Gravity: 1.005 SG
Estimated Alcohol by Vol: 4.47 %	Actual Alcohol by Vol: 5.21 %
Bitterness: 30.7 IBU	Calories: 194 cal/pint
Est Color: 18.0 SRM	Color: Color
Mash Profile
Mash Name: None	Total Grain Weight: 2.50 lb
Sparge Water: -	Grain Temperature: -
Sparge Temperature: -	TunTemperature: -
Adjust Temp for Equipment: FALSE	Mash PH: -
Steep grains as desired (30-60 minutes)
Mash Notes: -
Carbonation and Storage
Carbonation Type: Corn Sugar	Volumes of CO2: 2.4
Pressure/Weight: 7.6 oz	Carbonation Used: -
Keg/Bottling Temperature: 60.0 F	Age for: 28.0 days
Storage Temperature: 52.0 F
Notes
Created with BeerSmith

Welcome to the Darkside

Brady's "Welcome to the Darkside" Coffee Porter

Brown Porter

 

Type: All Grain	Date: 9/27/2010
Batch Size: 10.00 gal	Brewer: Brady Brew
Boil Size: 11.00 gal	Asst Brewer:
Boil Time: 60 min	Equipment: My Equipment
Taste Rating(out of 50): 40.0	Brewhouse Efficiency: 70.00
Taste Notes:
Ingredients
Amount Item Type % or IBU 15.00 lb Pale Malt (2 Row) US (2.0 SRM) Grain 68.18 % 1.00 lb Biscuit Malt (23.0 SRM) Grain 4.55 % 1.00 lb Carafa I (337.0 SRM) Grain 4.55 % 1.00 lb Franco-Belges Kiln Coffee (120.0 SRM) Grain 4.55 % 1.00 lb Munich Light (6.0 SRM) Grain 4.55 % 1.00 lb Pale Chocolate Malt (120.0 SRM) Grain 4.55 % 1.00 lb Roasted Barley (300.0 SRM) Grain 4.55 % 0.50 lb Black (Patent) Malt (500.0 SRM) Grain 2.27 % 1.00 oz Chinook [13.00 %] (60 min) Hops 22.4 IBU 1.00 oz Williamette [5.50 %] (20 min) Hops 5.8 IBU 1.00 oz Fuggles [4.50 %] (20 min) Hops 4.7 IBU 10.00 gm Gypsum (Calcium Sulfate) (Mash 60.0 min) Misc 0.50 lb Milk Sugar (Lactose) (0.0 SRM) Sugar 2.27 % 1 Pkgs Nottingham (Danstar #-) Yeast-Ale
Beer Profile
Est Original Gravity: 1.055 SG	Measured Original Gravity: 1.052 SG
Est Final Gravity: 1.013 SG	Measured Final Gravity: 1.015 SG
Estimated Alcohol by Vol: 5.41 %	Actual Alcohol by Vol: 4.82 %
Bitterness: 32.9 IBU	Calories: 233 cal/pint
Est Color: 39.5 SRM	Color: Color
Mash Profile
Mash Name: Single Infusion, Medium Body, Batch Sparge	Total Grain Weight: 21.50 lb
Sparge Water: 6.86 gal	Grain Temperature: 72.0 F
Sparge Temperature: 168.0 F	TunTemperature: 72.0 F
Adjust Temp for Equipment: FALSE	Mash PH: 5.4 PH
Single Infusion, Medium Body, Batch Sparge Step Time Name Description Step Temp 60 min Mash In Add 26.88 qt of water at 165.9 F 154.0 F
Mash Notes: Simple single infusion mash for use with most modern well modified grains (about 95% of the time).
Carbonation and Storage
Carbonation Type: force Carb'd
Pressure/Weight: 10psi
Keg/Bottling Temperature: 60.0 F
Storage Temperature: 38.0 F