California Common Two time gold winning Cali Common

Boil Size: 6.85 gal
Post Boil Volume: 6.24 gal
Batch Size (fermenter): 5.00 gal
Bottling Volume: 5.00 gal
Estimated OG: 1.056 SG
Estimated Color: 9.4 SRM
Estimated IBU: 40.6 IBUs
Brewhouse Efficiency: 75.00 %
Est Mash Efficiency: 90.0 %
Boil Time: 60 Minutes

Ingredients:
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Amt Name Type # %/IBU
8 lbs Pale Malt (2 Row) US (2.0 SRM) Grain 1 78.0 %
1 lbs 4.0 oz Munich Malt (9.0 SRM) Grain 2 12.2 %
1 lbs Caramel/Crystal Malt - 60L (60.0 SRM) Grain 3 9.8 %
0.75 oz Northern Brewer [8.50 %] - Boil 60.0 min Hop 4 20.4 IBUs
1.00 Items Whirlfloc Tablet (Boil 15.0 mins) Fining 5 -
1.50 oz Northern Brewer [8.50 %] - Boil 15.0 min Hop 6 20.2 IBUs
1.00 oz Northern Brewer [8.50 %] - Boil 0.0 min Hop 7 0.0 IBUs
1.0 pkg California Lager (Wyeast Labs #2112) [12 Yeast 8 -


Mash Schedule: Single Infusion, Medium Body
Total Grain Weight: 10 lbs 4.0 oz
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Name Description Step Temperat Step Time
Mash In Add 12.81 qt of water at 163.7 F 152.0 F 60 min
Mash Out Add 7.17 qt of water at 200.7 F 168.0 F 10 min

Sparge: Fly sparge with 3.89 gal water at 168.0 F
Notes:
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I didn't have any NB hops so I subbed in Liberty instead so its not a true cali common in that sense.

Any flavor and aroma notes from subbing in Liberty hops instead of northern brewer? I like the grain bill already. Any updated info would be:rockin:

beerguyfrmsd said:

Any flavor and aroma notes from subbing in Liberty hops instead of northern brewer? I like the grain bill already. Any updated info would be:rockin:

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I dont remember exactly what the judges notes were but I remember both judges and other HBT members saying the liberty hops added a slight spice and gave the beer more depth and complexity.

sfgoat said:

I dont remember exactly what the judges notes were but I remember both judges and other HBT members saying the liberty hops added a slight spice and gave the beer more depth and complexity.

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sounds like a perfect combo with the spice notes from the liberty hops blending well with the sweet C60 and Munich malts. Glad it turned great. I just put my Kentucky Common Ale on tap yesterday and I will post up my recipe either today or tomorrow with flavor and aroma notes. Cheers brother.

Thanks for the recipe.

In my competition experience, my Cali Common's w/ a healthy dose of Munich tend to score higher and win more awards than a closer representation of Anchor brewed about the same way with only 2-Row & Crystal 40L.

In the past few years, I've submitted 3-4 of each variety. Most judges have commented that my Munich-free variety is "not malty enough," even though it's a spot-on Anchor Steam clone. I mean...dead on. My theory is that steam beers often get judged in flights with more robust Altbiers and the extra Munich gives some "wow factor" in a mini-BOS round when the two styles are compared.

Moral to the story: add some Munich if you're going for bling or prefer the extra maltiness. If you look at past NHC winners, most have a more complex grain bill than Anchor's.