My First Brew - NB Cream Ale - Page 2

**ValleyBrew** · 01-18-2012, 04:07 AM

I'm interested in how your beer turns out. I'm getting ready to order my kit as well. Maybe tomorrow. I'm thinking of tweaking this kit. I want to increase the honey malt for more honey flavor per a suggestion in another thread and I plan on adding 1lb of flaked corn to help the creaminess. I was surprised the kit doesn't inlcude that... I'll probably do a late hop addition for a little extra aroma. With this time of year and the cool fermenting temps, I'm anticipating a very clean and crisp beer!

What yeast did you use?

jjotmo · 01-18-2012, 05:20 AM

I have an AHS cream ale on tap now. I did about a third of the LME at the start of the boil and the rest with 15 minutes to go. This really gave it a smooth taste and a lighter appearance. I also did 3 weeks in the primary straight to keg. Definately helped from my first batch. Which was a BB cream ale

**BrewBug** · 01-18-2012, 01:22 PM

I used Wyeast 1056 American Ale Smack Pack and did a starter for the yeast.

As for the late LME additions, I had contemplated doing that but since this is my first brew, I thought I would start out as directed (other than me doing a full volume boil) before tweaking.

**jeffd10** · 01-18-2012, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrewBug

I used Wyeast 1056 American Ale Smack Pack and did a starter for the yeast.

As for the late LME additions, I had contemplated doing that but since this is my first brew, I thought I would start out as directed (other than me doing a full volume boil) before tweaking.

Its all Good Brother

I too am looking forward to a cream ale this early spring ....

**BrewBug** · 01-29-2012, 04:36 PM

I bottled my beer today. Everything seemed to go well. Taste is good but it is hard to judge by drinking a beer without carbonation. Strange and new to me. FG was 1.010 and was exactly what BeerSmith estimated for my recipe. I am excited to be able to drink the first brew...I can't stand waiting.

bschoenb · 01-29-2012, 09:54 PM

I always do a late 15 add of DME/LME w/brewing software. When doing a light beer it makes a big difference. It's allready beer, it just needs to be sanitized. Beersmith has a late DME/LME add option now.

**ValleyBrew** · 01-29-2012, 11:13 PM

I finally was able to brew the NB Cream Ale yesterday.

I split up the LME addition. I did half at the beginning and the other half at 15 minutes. I did an addition of Saaz hops at 10 minutes along with my standard irish moss and yeast nutrient.

Those tweaks were in addition to the 1 lb of flaked corn and about .75 lbs of additional honey malt. I used US-05 yeast. I may have been my additional grain, but despite my late addition LME, it still turned out darker than expected...

It may end up being a little too starchy, but I wanted more mouthfeel than the traditional cream ale. I'll try and come back and let you know how it turns out. I don't plan on doing a seconday, but I will be kegging and force carbing. I anticipate about two weeks in primary, but I'll let the gravity dictate that. I may even dry-hop with whole leaf cluster in the keg. I haven't decided that yet.

**BrewBug** · 02-12-2012, 11:23 PM

My first brew is complete and I tried the first bottle tonight. Looks darker than anticipated but it tastes great. Not very good head retention. Most important part is SWMBO likes it and I got the go ahead for brew number 2

. Now its time to make the decision on what to do next.

**BrewBug** · 02-12-2012, 11:34 PM

Well... just poured a second bottle in a nucleated glass and the head is much better. I am impressed for my first brew.

bschoenb · 02-13-2012, 12:47 AM

Looks tasty !!; Congrates!

If you want it lighter next time, try using DME ilo LME. The LME can darken w/age compared to the DME.. For really light beers, try using the Pilsen DME (or Extra Light) along w/whatever specialty grains you desire.