First Blonde Ale...delicious

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ertelbrew

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Just brewed my first blonde ale AND my first all grain. Kind of winged it, and it turned out great. Here's the recipe...very simple.

9# 2-row
1# Carmel 10

1.5 oz Saaz (60 mins)
1 oz centennial (5 mins)

1tsp Irish moss (15 mins)

White Labs California Ale

Mashed at 154

SG 1.052
FG 1.015

1 week Primary
2 weeks secondary

I was amazed that try 1 was successful but glad :)
 
I do have a question, if you don't mind. Towards the end of the sparge it started looking likes pale yellow. Is that normal? I haven't seen this in past posts before. Like I said, this was my first all grain venture. Thanks
 
I love Centennial. This looks like a very drinkable Summer ale.

The "one week primary" surprises me a bit, but sounds like it turned out okay.
 
Thx Tiber. Yes...fly sparge. That's what I assumed but wanted to make a note for future reference.
 
Mass...I love Centennial. Regarding primary, I take it from the perspective of where I'm at with fermentation. I like to be nearly down to FG but not quite. It's just something I've found to help clear. For normal alcohol beers like this one, I've found a week is fairly common. Again, this is my first jump into all grain. So, that may change things a bit, but extract brewing I've gotten in that rhythm.
 
Might I suggest a slightly modified hop schedule than what you have there? The blonde ale I have on tap currently was hopped this way:

centennial 60
.25 oz centennial 15
.25 oz saaz 15

Your 60 min centennial will be your bittering charge, but let the two hops share a role in the flavor and aroma. They go well together. I let the malt do some talking with styles like this, too. That's why I keep the flavoring additions fairly low, but it'll still be on the palate.

Just my two cents. :mug:
 
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