ViperMan
Well-Known Member
Hey all,
Haven't been on here much on account of a baby due in 4 weeks... *eep!*
But I'm trying to plan ahead (as I have been all year) for the annual Mopar Car Show in July. For the past two years I've presented a homebrewed beer, complete with labels and "story," to our club members. I can't dissapoint in 2013!
I wanted to make a cider, but I should have started it 6 months ago to have it nice and "mature" in time... So I thought about experimenting with an apple ale - kinda like a "Strawberry Blonde" but - of course - with apple!
Here's what I came up with. I'm going for something light, drinkable, and refreshing, considering that last year it was 114 degrees during lunch time at the fairgrounds!
5 gallon batch:
7 lb Pale Malt 2-Row US
1 lb Crystal 20
1 lb flaked Wheat (for head retention)
1 can concentrated apple juice
1 oz Citra (leaf) boiled for 15 minutes
Yeast: White Labs San Francisco Lager (I LOVE this yeast) - ferment 3 weeks at 64 degrees
Bottle with corn sugar OR DME with apple extract "to taste" (this will require some experimentation).
Also considering making a test batch with a cinnamon stick or two dropped into the primary for the last week.
This is a "Fruit Beer", so Beersmith goes blank on the target ranges. Therefore I used a "blonde ale" to setup my basic profile, then switched it to a Fruit Beer.
It'll definitely be "different" which is what I'm going for. Even my initial reaction is "yuck" to an apple beer, but I'm trying to really bring out the right flavors to make it work - caramel is right at home with apples, the lager yeast will give it that crisp apple-juice feel, and Citra (at least according to Beersmith) will impart a citrus and tropical fruit flavoring and aroma.
I MIGHT just be able to pull it off. Thoughts?
Haven't been on here much on account of a baby due in 4 weeks... *eep!*
But I'm trying to plan ahead (as I have been all year) for the annual Mopar Car Show in July. For the past two years I've presented a homebrewed beer, complete with labels and "story," to our club members. I can't dissapoint in 2013!
I wanted to make a cider, but I should have started it 6 months ago to have it nice and "mature" in time... So I thought about experimenting with an apple ale - kinda like a "Strawberry Blonde" but - of course - with apple!
Here's what I came up with. I'm going for something light, drinkable, and refreshing, considering that last year it was 114 degrees during lunch time at the fairgrounds!
5 gallon batch:
7 lb Pale Malt 2-Row US
1 lb Crystal 20
1 lb flaked Wheat (for head retention)
1 can concentrated apple juice
1 oz Citra (leaf) boiled for 15 minutes
Yeast: White Labs San Francisco Lager (I LOVE this yeast) - ferment 3 weeks at 64 degrees
Bottle with corn sugar OR DME with apple extract "to taste" (this will require some experimentation).
Also considering making a test batch with a cinnamon stick or two dropped into the primary for the last week.
This is a "Fruit Beer", so Beersmith goes blank on the target ranges. Therefore I used a "blonde ale" to setup my basic profile, then switched it to a Fruit Beer.
It'll definitely be "different" which is what I'm going for. Even my initial reaction is "yuck" to an apple beer, but I'm trying to really bring out the right flavors to make it work - caramel is right at home with apples, the lager yeast will give it that crisp apple-juice feel, and Citra (at least according to Beersmith) will impart a citrus and tropical fruit flavoring and aroma.
I MIGHT just be able to pull it off. Thoughts?