Apologies in advance for a long post and thanks in advance to all who reply.
So a bit of background first - I got a Mr Beer kit and read through that wonderful thread about what to fix/change (thanks to everyone who has helped in that thread!!). I got 1lb of Light DME (actually it's a 22oz bag more on that later) to replace the Booster.
I am about ready to brew my first batch, but I don't think I want to go with the simple West Coast Pale Ale (WCPA) that comes with it. I have heard it comes out kind of like a Bud Light type beer and that just doesn't interest me.
SO - I am taking another fairly simple recipe and trying to make it (or close to it) with what I have. Except instead of using only Light DME I was thinking of using Light DME + the WCPA Extract that came with Mr Beer.
Here is the 5g recipe, I will obviously be using only 40% of everything listed to make a 2g batch in Mr Beer.
American Classic Cream Ale - Light, Crisp and Refreshing. This Golden Ale is the Perfect Lawnmower Beer! Approximately 4.5 % ABV.
5 lb Light LME
1lb Corn Sugar
Steeping Grains :
6 oz Crystal 10
6 oz 2 Row Pale
Hops: 1 oz Mt. Rainer (Bittering)
Question 1) Considering I am substituting roughly half of the Light DME with the WCPA Extract (which is hopped) does anyone think that will cause problems? Since it's a pretty light beer anyway and we're mixing with Light DME I don't anticipate any problems, but want to make sure. Any advice on whether I should use 1lb or just use all 22oz that I've got? (Does DME store well if I open it and have 6oz left?)
Put simply, do you see this recipe becoming a decent lightish ale with more flavor/body than the plain ole WCPA?
Question 2) If I want a little more flavor/body would it make sense to go with Crystal 20 instead, or should I stick with the lightest possible due to the beer style.
Question 3) I had already bought Nottingham yeast (recipe calls for American Ale yeast). Is using the Nottingham fine?
Question 4) I know I should steep the Crystal and should mash the 2-row...can I mash them both in the same bag all at once or would that be too long for the Crystal?
I am happy to listen to any other advice or recipe tweaking, just looking for my first beer to be a decent one!
So a bit of background first - I got a Mr Beer kit and read through that wonderful thread about what to fix/change (thanks to everyone who has helped in that thread!!). I got 1lb of Light DME (actually it's a 22oz bag more on that later) to replace the Booster.
I am about ready to brew my first batch, but I don't think I want to go with the simple West Coast Pale Ale (WCPA) that comes with it. I have heard it comes out kind of like a Bud Light type beer and that just doesn't interest me.
SO - I am taking another fairly simple recipe and trying to make it (or close to it) with what I have. Except instead of using only Light DME I was thinking of using Light DME + the WCPA Extract that came with Mr Beer.
Here is the 5g recipe, I will obviously be using only 40% of everything listed to make a 2g batch in Mr Beer.
American Classic Cream Ale - Light, Crisp and Refreshing. This Golden Ale is the Perfect Lawnmower Beer! Approximately 4.5 % ABV.
5 lb Light LME
1lb Corn Sugar
Steeping Grains :
6 oz Crystal 10
6 oz 2 Row Pale
Hops: 1 oz Mt. Rainer (Bittering)
Question 1) Considering I am substituting roughly half of the Light DME with the WCPA Extract (which is hopped) does anyone think that will cause problems? Since it's a pretty light beer anyway and we're mixing with Light DME I don't anticipate any problems, but want to make sure. Any advice on whether I should use 1lb or just use all 22oz that I've got? (Does DME store well if I open it and have 6oz left?)
Put simply, do you see this recipe becoming a decent lightish ale with more flavor/body than the plain ole WCPA?
Question 2) If I want a little more flavor/body would it make sense to go with Crystal 20 instead, or should I stick with the lightest possible due to the beer style.
Question 3) I had already bought Nottingham yeast (recipe calls for American Ale yeast). Is using the Nottingham fine?
Question 4) I know I should steep the Crystal and should mash the 2-row...can I mash them both in the same bag all at once or would that be too long for the Crystal?
I am happy to listen to any other advice or recipe tweaking, just looking for my first beer to be a decent one!