erockomania
Well-Known Member
So this last weekend I brewed up batch of blonde ale(ish) with a couple buddys. The batch was 7.5gal and consisted of the following:
15.75lb 2row(great western)
1.5lb carapils
60min 2oz Saaz
30min .75oz Sorachi Ace
5min .75oz Sorachi Ace
5min juice from 2 lemons and 2 oranges (hand squeezed)
3min zest from all 4 fruits
10min whirlfloc addition
I double crushed the grain this time and I think it helped the eff.
Most of the time with a simple grain rinse, I'm somewhere around 70-72% eff. This time I was somewhere around 77% with a simple rinse.
Post boil: 1.064
I was guessing it wouldn't do much (double crush) so I was thinking I'd be under 1.060, but I did better than I thought with 1.064 so I added a bit of water and brought it down to 1.058. I didnt want the abv too high as this is kind of a lightish fruity ale that my wife and her friends won't be afraid to drink.
I separated the wort into two carboys, a 6 and a 3 gallon better bottle so I could try a little Sorachi Ace dry hop for me and my friends . It won't be much (.75oz) but it will add to the aroma a bit and make it a little earthier.
I'm using Wyeast Belgian Strong Ale yeast on the ladies version and safale 04 on the 3gal, dry hopped, guys version.
I also plan on adding several ounces of orange and lemon zest at about a week or so in, but I'm not entirely sure on how I should treat the zest before adding to the primaries. Thoughts?
And for the pics of brew day...
15.75lb 2row(great western)
1.5lb carapils
60min 2oz Saaz
30min .75oz Sorachi Ace
5min .75oz Sorachi Ace
5min juice from 2 lemons and 2 oranges (hand squeezed)
3min zest from all 4 fruits
10min whirlfloc addition
I double crushed the grain this time and I think it helped the eff.
Most of the time with a simple grain rinse, I'm somewhere around 70-72% eff. This time I was somewhere around 77% with a simple rinse.
Post boil: 1.064
I was guessing it wouldn't do much (double crush) so I was thinking I'd be under 1.060, but I did better than I thought with 1.064 so I added a bit of water and brought it down to 1.058. I didnt want the abv too high as this is kind of a lightish fruity ale that my wife and her friends won't be afraid to drink.
I separated the wort into two carboys, a 6 and a 3 gallon better bottle so I could try a little Sorachi Ace dry hop for me and my friends . It won't be much (.75oz) but it will add to the aroma a bit and make it a little earthier.
I'm using Wyeast Belgian Strong Ale yeast on the ladies version and safale 04 on the 3gal, dry hopped, guys version.
I also plan on adding several ounces of orange and lemon zest at about a week or so in, but I'm not entirely sure on how I should treat the zest before adding to the primaries. Thoughts?
And for the pics of brew day...