All-Grain - Zach & Jack's African Amber - Page 5

**GroosBrewz** · 11-21-2009, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by northernlad

For me its the best beer you can get on tap. I am 1 week into a clone of it from my LHBS. I cannot wait. It gets pretty old having to pay a premium for it.
Their other beers are good as well. SeaTac Airport has a couple Mac & Jack "Restaurants" that I go to everytime I fly.

+1 on the best beer available on tap... I LOVE this beer.. Had a couple pitchers with some friends last night at the bowling alley... I didnt even care that I bowled at 54 in the first game

ReeseAllen · 12-08-2009, 06:23 AM

I brewed it and hit the posted 1.055 OG exactly. I followed the OP recipe, with one exception. The hop schedule posted says:

1.00 oz Centennial (60 min)
1.00 oz Cascade (5 min)
1.50 oz Cascade (0 min)

Instead, I did:

1.00 oz Centennial (60 min)
1.00 oz Cascade (15 min)
1.00 oz Cascade (5 min)

I changed the last two hop additions to 15 and 5 minutes, because I use a hop strainer bag and 0 minutes is always when I pull all the hops out and drain them into the kettle for a minute before I start the chiller.

Also, I decided to dial down the last hop addition a bit, partly because I only wanted to buy one $8 two-ounce bag of Cascades for this brew (must start buying in bulk), and partly because I read some comments in this thread about this recipe turning out a bit hoppier than the real Mac and Jack's.

I may dry hop with 1 oz of amarillo instead of cascade, as well, since I have some fairly fresh amarillo in the fridge that's begging to be used, and I understand they are quite similar.

ftlstrings · 12-18-2009, 05:25 PM

Thanks for posting! Mac and Jacks is a memorably good beer. I was thinking the last time that i had it that there might be some sorgum in the mash...

**GroosBrewz** · 12-18-2009, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ReeseAllen

I brewed it and hit the posted 1.055 OG exactly. I followed the OP recipe, with one exception. The hop schedule posted says:

1.00 oz Centennial (60 min)
1.00 oz Cascade (5 min)
1.50 oz Cascade (0 min)

Instead, I did:

1.00 oz Centennial (60 min)
1.00 oz Cascade (15 min)
1.00 oz Cascade (5 min)

I changed the last two hop additions to 15 and 5 minutes, because I use a hop strainer bag and 0 minutes is always when I pull all the hops out and drain them into the kettle for a minute before I start the chiller.

Also, I decided to dial down the last hop addition a bit, partly because I only wanted to buy one $8 two-ounce bag of Cascades for this brew (must start buying in bulk), and partly because I read some comments in this thread about this recipe turning out a bit hoppier than the real Mac and Jack's.

I may dry hop with 1 oz of amarillo instead of cascade, as well, since I have some fairly fresh amarillo in the fridge that's begging to be used, and I understand they are quite similar.

Sounds like it will be great! Be sure to post your tasting notes! Curious if the amarillos will be discernible from the cascades.. Nice job on the OG!! Wish I could hit my OG more regularly..

ReeseAllen · 12-20-2009, 05:53 AM

I dry-hopped my batch today with 1 oz of cascades after 12 days of fermentation. I plan to bottle at the three week mark, SG readings permitting.

displacedyoop · 12-21-2009, 02:54 AM

Brewing this recip right now I made a few minor changes. 2 lbs Munich and 3/4 pils. I am also going to use two packets of s-04. Only using 3 oz hops maybe dry hop in secondary, not sure I'll give it a taste test to decide. I also did a three step mash like I do for my other brown ales. 130-150-155. I'll post more later

lower1310 · 03-06-2010, 11:07 PM

I just harvested yeast from a growler of Mac and Jacks and manny's pale ale, I am planing on trying this recipe with both yeast in 2 separate 5 gallon batches. Curious to see the differences.

**GroosBrewz** · 03-07-2010, 06:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lower1310

I just harvested yeast from a growler of Mac and Jacks and manny's pale ale, I am planing on trying this recipe with both yeast in 2 separate 5 gallon batches. Curious to see the differences.

Sweet! I never thought about harvesting the yeast! Be sure to let us know how it turns out!

lower1310 · 03-14-2010, 10:31 PM

working on my batch, with Mac and jacks yeast, it is being pitched this afternoon.

**GroosBrewz** · 03-14-2010, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lower1310

working on my batch, with Mac and jacks yeast, it is being pitched this afternoon.

Nice.. I am very curious how this turns out for you. Good luck!