Second Batch- Lots of Questions...

Tomfolli · 03-21-2010, 07:44 PM

Hey all- This is my second batch of homebrew, all extract, and I have lots of questions. I'm going for an easy drinking summer beer, my jaggery pale ale is a bit too heavy and bitter for hot weather, though quite delicious. I decided to go fruity, but only slightly so. Anyway, for a 5 gallon batch, 75 minute boil-

For Extracts-
5.5 lb. Lager Malt Extract
1.5 lb. Wheat Malt Extract

For Hops-
1 oz. Centennial (45 min)
.5 oz. Cascade (30 min)
.5 oz. Cascade (15 min)
1 oz. Saaz (5 min)
1 oz. Cascade (dry hop)

Yeast: White Labs California Ale Yeast (WLP001)

Plus the Irish Moss.

To the secondary-
5 Pomegranates (seeded, frozen)
Juice and Zest of a lemon or two

That's What I'm working with so far. now for Questions-
Will the lager and wheat malt extracts work well together? or will that be a weird combo?
Is this gonna be too much hops for what's supposed to be a fruity, refreshing, not overly bitter beer?
Is this an appropriate yeast?
And any other suggestions anyone may have. I'm a newcomer and I'm wide ope to advice from the experts. Thanks in advance and happy brewing!

**frazier** · 03-21-2010, 08:40 PM

Hi and welcome - my first suggestion is to get Beersmith, Brewtarget, or some such program. You can create and manage your recipes and see just what the IBUs will turn out to be.

I love those hops you've got, but I'm thinking you will have a hard time finding the pomegranate in the finished beer.

OsbornBrewing · 03-21-2010, 11:25 PM

+1 for the Beersmith reccomendation, that seems like an extensive hop bill for a light lager. I will probably put this in mine to give a go, it looks delicious!

My recommendation on the fruits, pomegranate and lemon - add them a little before the secondary, in fact at the end of the boil, turn off the burner, throw in the pomegranate and the lemon, go with 2 for 5 gallons 1 is not enough IMO, and let them steep for 15 mins before you chill. This will kill any nasties in the fruits and sterilize them. You NEVER, EVER want to boil your fruits as this will set the pectins and is the first step in making jelly. If you want them in your secondary, put them in a grain bag, or an infuser so you can pull them out of the primary and into the secondary.

Tomfolli · 03-22-2010, 05:26 AM

Thanks guys! i think i may cut down a bit on the hops, but not too much. gotta love them hops. How about the malts? do wheat and lager extracts work well? what would change if i substituted some of the lager malt extract for some crystal malt extract?