Optimal Base Recipe for Testing?

So, I'm going to hopefully bust out 2 brews this weekend, but I'm looking to the future.

I'm looking for a recipe that I can experiment with. I want to make a clean batch of it to have as a base, and then perhaps make another 5-6 gallons of it and break it up into multiple 2gal batches maybe (havent thought it through), and experiment with either adding fruits, spices, other flavorings and, more importantly, hop types, yeast types, etc.

So, I'm looking for a barebones base ale I would think? Something preferably tasty out the gate, but will be willing to have some variance in flavors without being too off putting.

Thoughts? Am I in the right direction for testing?

You could make a Blonde ale, Split it and add fruit it.

There are some tried and true recipes here:

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f66/bee-cave-brewery-haus-pale-ale-31793/

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f66/centennial-blonde-simple-4-all-grain-5-10-gall-42841/

I don't pretend to be the last word, but here's my humble opinion.

1 lb light liquid extract per gallon/water
hops 4%-6%
neutral dry yeast, such as Nottingham, or Munton's

So, for a 5-gal batch, 5 lb extract, 1 oz hops, 1 pkt yeast. Then go from there.

Great stuff...

I wish I could All Grain, but im an Extract noob.

The Bee Cave looks awesome though...

BillyVegas said:

Great stuff...

I wish I could All Grain, but im an Extract noob.

The Bee Cave looks awesome though...

Click to expand...

That's why I picked those two recipes. If I'm not mistaken, they both have extract versions posted in that same thread!