I recently got a bootleg beer recipe that my mother found in some old papers she had. It was my great uncles recipe for beer that he made before it was legal to do so in a private home (my mother says she remembers him brewing it in the 50's and early 60's in a shed in the backyard). However it is a very basic recipe that has no hop additions, some sugar added, and unknown yeast strains (it simply calls for a yeast cake). It calls for one tin of extra dry malt extract. I am assuming that malt extract was available for other purposes during this time (i.e. malted milk etc.). My mother was unable to describe the size of the can or brand name, except to state that the closest she has tasted to this beer since is Sleeman's Dark Ale from Canada.
I have been impressed with some of the beer history and sleuthing in these forums so I figured I would throw it to the brewing jedi's and see if I can't try to replicate this for good old time sake. I would be interested in hearing the thoughts of what to try or what was available at the time to try and clone this simple recipe.
I have been impressed with some of the beer history and sleuthing in these forums so I figured I would throw it to the brewing jedi's and see if I can't try to replicate this for good old time sake. I would be interested in hearing the thoughts of what to try or what was available at the time to try and clone this simple recipe.