Does this recipe sound okay?

A guy at work wants me to brew a batch for him. He'll pay for the ingredients and help with the process just to learn about brewing. He's primarily a BMC drinker but he really enjoyed a few cream ales that I gave him previously.

He wants the batch to be relatively mild on flavor but have a happy abv level. I already have the Hallertau hops (thanks Monster Mash ) and some washed Nottingham yeast. This is based on a 3gal boil.

5lbs Light DME
2lbs two-row pale (steeped)
.25lb Carapils (steeped)
2lbs German Pilsen (steeped)
.75oz Hallertau Tradition 6% @ 60
1oz Hallertau Tradition 6% @ 10

OG 1.055
FG 1.014
IBU 30
ABV 5.3 %
SRM 3


Does this seem mild enough for a homebrew-curious drinker? The abv is a bit tame for what he was asking but I didn't want to make the flavor too heavy. Would it be bad to add 1lb Rice syrup solids? Am I too high on IBU?

Thanks

I don't think steeping plsner and 2-row is going to get you much (at least according to Palmer), except maybe some extra unfermentables and a higher FG. They need to be mashed to do any good.

As a PM recipe, the beer looks kinda bland, but I suppose that's what you're after. But if you're going to PM, I'd replace either the pils or the 2-row with some flaked maize and just make a cream ale...

I don't really have the ability to do a PM at this point. My glass top stove just doesn't hold a constant enough temperature.

The grains were not added specifically for gains. Rather, they are more of a quality control. Isn't it true that extract only beer tends to be cidery? That's what I'm trying to avoid.

fezzman said:

I don't really have the ability to do a PM at this point. My glass top stove just doesn't hold a constant enough temperature.

The grains were not added specifically for gains. Rather, they are more of a quality control. Isn't it true that extract only beer tends to be cidery? That's what I'm trying to avoid.

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You should be fine with the DME.

Maybe try adding 8oz of light crystal malt, it is usually a nice addition.

Beerrific said:

You should be fine with the DME.

Maybe try adding 8oz of light crystal malt, it is usually a nice addition.

Click to expand...

5 lbs Light DME
.5 lbs crystal 20L
.25 carapils (for the head)

...and call it a day?

Sounds good. I'm getting OG=1.047 in a 5-gal batch. Maybe another lb of DME?

OG 1.056
FG 1.014
IBU 29
ABV 5.4 %
SRM 4

6lbs Light DME
.5 lb Crystal 20L
.25 Carapils
.75oz Hallertau 6% @ 60
1oz Hallertau 6% @ 10

That's lookin' like it'll do just fine. Thanks for all of the help.

looks pretty good to me for a nice, mild ale