Critique my Amarillo Pale Ale Recipe...

RoaringBrewer · 11-26-2007, 09:23 PM

Before I brew this, please lend your thoughts. Never have brewed an Ale with all amarillo, but I had one at the local micro a few weeks back and it was pretty good. It tasted like an All-Amarillo version of an SNPA. Althought SNPA isn't bitter to me at all, maybe the Amarillo is just a little more potent, but it was slightly more bitter than the SNPA brewed with Pearle and Cascade. So, I dropped the IBU's a bit from a 35-45 range that an SNPA would be. Thoughts? Should I go a little higher on the IBU? This will be for my enjoyment, but also hoping its enjoyed by non-craft-connoisseur type as well. Also, thoughts on a yeast? I'm thinking just a pretty well flocculating, "clean" strain such as S-05 or Nottingham. I like Dry-yeast use unless there is a better strain for the style...

BeerSmith Recipe Printout - www.beersmith.com
Recipe: Amarillo Pale Ale - Grain or Extract (See Notes)
Brewer: Roaring Bull Brewing Co.
Style: American Pale Ale

Recipe Specifications
--------------------------
Batch Size: 5.00 gal
Boil Size: 5.72 gal
Estimated OG: 1.050 SG
Estimated Color: 7.5 SRM
Estimated IBU: 28.4 IBU
Brewhouse Efficiency: 75%
Boil Time: 60 Minutes

Ingredients:
------------
Amount Item Type % or IBU
7.50 lb American Two-Row (7.0 SRM) Grain 78.6 %
0.75 lb Cara-Pils/Dextrine (2.0 SRM) Grain 10.7 %
0.75 lb Caramel/Crystal Malt - 10L (10.0 SRM) Grain 10.7 %
0.50 oz Amarillo Gold [8.50%] (60 min) Hops 15.5 IBU
0.25 oz Amarillo Gold [8.50%] (30 min) Hops 6.0 IBU
0.50 oz Amarillo Gold [8.50%] (6 min) Hops 3.6 IBU
0.50 oz Amarillo Gold [8.50%] (3 min) Hops 1.9 IBU
0.25 oz Amarillo Gold [8.50%] (1 min) Hops 0.3 IBU
1 Pkgs SafAle American Ale (#S-05) or Nottingham Yeast-Ale

Mash Schedule: None
Total Grain Weight: 9.00 lb
----------------------------

Notes:
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May brew as extract also. If using DME, I'd use 5.5lb. Light, X-Light, or in combination with "Pilsen" Dme if available at your LHBS.

Remember this is a full boil so if doing partial, you'll need to adjust (up) your hops for utilization.

**the_bird** · 11-26-2007, 09:28 PM

I *love* Amarillo, and find it to lend a very smooth bitterness despite its pretty high AA%. Looks like a nice, clean, simple recipe. Personally, I like including a character malt like Munich or Vienna to this kind of pale ale, just to "flesh out" the background a bit, give it a bit more balance, but that's wholly optional.

I might be inclined to either ramp up that 1-minute addition, or do a decent-sized dryhop; this hop is BEGGING for as much aroma as you can get.

RoaringBrewer · 11-26-2007, 10:49 PM

Awesome bird... Thanks for the input. I have to see if I have some Munich or Vienna on hand. I have everything for the recipe as listed, so if I'm out of Munich, I may just need to pass on the other malt - but I know what you are saying.

I also think its a good idea to ramp up the 1 minute hopping... Not sure how much Amarillo I have on hand, but I think I have at least 3 oz. left. I could add an extra oz. at one minute. If not, do you think Cascade is an acceptable substitute? Maybe I could do some of my bittering with Cascade and use some of the Amarillo to the middle/end also...

**the_bird** · 11-26-2007, 10:52 PM

Cascade and Amarillo are WONDERFUL together. Centennial's nice, too. Or, just use anything clean for the bittering addition and showcase the Amarillo from 15 minutes in.

RoaringBrewer · 11-26-2007, 11:07 PM

Bird - took your critique into consideration, as well as what I have on hand (which is only 2oz of Amarillo unfortunately and no Munich/Vienna) and here is version 2. Used some 6.9% Cascades I have on hand for bittering - Amarillo "showcased" from 15 minutes and in... Also upped the Dextrine and Crystal since I have no other specialty grains (other than Victory which I didn't think fit myself - 25SRM?)

Hopefully this works better? I think it does!

BeerSmith Recipe Printout - www.beersmith.com
Recipe: Amarillo Pale Ale - Extract or AG Full Boil - See Notes
Brewer: Roaring Bull Brewery
Style: American Pale Ale

Recipe Specifications
--------------------------
Batch Size: 5.00 gal
Boil Size: 5.72 gal
Estimated OG: 1.050 SG
Estimated Color: 7.8 SRM
Estimated IBU: 30.8 IBU
Brewhouse Efficiency: 75%
Boil Time: 60 Minutes

Ingredients:
------------
Amount Item Type % or IBU
7.50 lb American Two-Row (7.0 SRM) Dry Extract 40.0 %
1.00 lb Cara-Pils/Dextrine (2.0 SRM) Grain 13.3 %
1.00 lb Caramel/Crystal Malt - 10L (10.0 SRM) Grain 13.3 %
0.75 oz Cascade [6.90%] (60 min) Hops 18.8 IBU
0.50 oz Amarillo Gold [8.40%] (15 min) Hops 7.6 IBU
0.50 oz Amarillo Gold [8.40%] (5 min) Hops 3.0 IBU
1.00 oz Amarillo Gold [8.40%] (1 min) Hops 1.3 IBU
1 Pkgs Nottingham Yeast (Lallemand #-) Yeast-Ale

Notes:
------
To brew extract replace the two-row grain with 5.5lb DME - I would use some combination of Light, X-Light, and Pilsen DME. If doing partial boil, adjust hops (up) for utilizations.

**Poobah58** · 11-27-2007, 02:35 AM

Man that's an awful lot of Crystal/Caramel! Gonna make a sweet beer. Try to keep it less that a pound to dry it out a little. I see you're out of Munich and Vienna but how 'bout Victory or even a little wheat?

Ryan_PA · 11-27-2007, 01:38 PM

What temp are you planning to mash at?

**the_bird** · 11-27-2007, 01:40 PM

Yeah, if you mash higher, you don't really need the carapils. If you're using it for head retention, you can always sub in a little wheat malt.

PseudoChef · 11-27-2007, 01:58 PM

I personally wouldn't worry about a pound of 10L Crystal. If you're using it for the color aspect, you can always use less of a higher Lovibond.

RoaringBrewer · 11-28-2007, 12:10 AM

Thanks for all the input... I plan on making the grain 7.5lb base, .5lb Victory, .75lb Crystal, .5lb Dextrine I believe... Plan on mashing low 150s? Not sure as this will be my first AG beer in my newly converted Rubbermaid Mash-tun...

I have some X-Light and Pilsen DME around in case it goes awry and I miss target OG terribly or something...