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Barrel Char Wood Products
akueck

akueck

Certified Mead Mentor
Certified Mead Mentor
Jun 26, 2006
4,958
11
0
Ithaca, NY
Partial mash, 4 gallons

3.5 lbs Maris Otter pale malt
4 oz crystal 20 malt
3 oz honey malt
3 oz white wheat malt
3 lbs English light liquid malt extract
0.5 lb light dry malt extract
1.5 oz EKG hops, 4% AA, 60 mins
3/8 oz EKG 15 mins
Whirlfloc 15 mins
1/2 oz Saaz 1 min
WLP011 European Ale yeast (pitched onto yeast cake from last batch)

Mash:
Single infusion at 152 F, held for 75 mins (temp dropped to 150 by the end). This was a long mash since I was bottling during this time. Batch sparged with 6 qts of 160 F water. 3.75 gallons collected, SG 1.034 (corrected).

Added malt extracts and water to 4 gallons. Brought to boil, added hops per schedule.

Chilled with an immersion chiller to 76 F (room temp was 74). There was a ton of cold break. I poured onto the yeast from my last batch (which was at 74 F). Only 3 gallons made it over, and I diluted to 4 gallons with preboiled water. I thought I would get 3.5 gallons from the kettle but there was a lot more sludge than I normally get, so my OG is lower than I had wanted. No problem, it's a Premium Bitter now instead of an ESB.

OG 1.045. Estimated IBU 31.
 
Well, that was quick. Things got to full krausen in roughly 2 hours; 2-3 bubbles per second in the airlock and 74 F. The next morning it was the same: 74 F, 2-3 blips per second, full of foam. (ambient was about 60-61 overnight, so that's a hot fermentation!) Tonight, about 26 hours after pitching, it's pretty much all over. 8 bubbles per minute in the airlock, no krausen, 70 F. By the morning I expect it to be totally calm.

I'm sad that it fermented so hot, I would have liked it closer to 68. Ah well, it will be extra fruity.
 
And, it's done. 66 F (the hallway is 64 so it's not quite down to room temp yet), too few bubbles to bother to count, settling nicely. I'll probably rouse the yeast to make sure it finishes all the way; just a gentle carboy spin or two today.
 
Finally got around to bottling this today. Added 2 5/8 oz corn sugar; yield was 32x12oz + 3x22oz + 1x750ml. Tastes flat but nice. The aroma is floral-hoppy and I am pleased so far.
 
So simple but so good - Maris Otter with EKG (maybe some Fuggles). A classic for a reason!
 
Yes this is quite good. It's taking its sweet time to carbonate (it's only 62 though so that could be the reason), but even with low carbonation it's a nice beer. The hops are present but mild and pleasant. Don't know why I didn't discover this combo earlier!
 
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