A good Brown ale recipe

[rightwingbrew]

I have been looking for a good brown ale recipe (Newcastle) extract. I found one that I thought was interesting and in the recipe they are calling for 1/2 teaspoon of non-iodized salt? Not sure what the salt is for? does it work like irish moss?

 

[jeffd10]

Head Retention?

 

[remman4]

Maybe to replicate the water supply at Newcastle?

 

[cooper]

The only thing I can think of is to add a little bit of sweetness to the finished beer. Its easy to overdo the salt though so measure properly.

 

[stevethepirate]

There is a clone recipe for New Castle in Clone Brews that turned out pretty close when my brew partner did it. I'm sure you could find it online pretty easy.

 

[NordeastBrewer77]

the salt would be to add some sodium and chloride to the water to 'replicate' the water used in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, UK where Newcastle is brewed. i've never heard of using table salt to do this, but most LHBS will have brewing salts available. they're used when trying to match water from various brewing regions. i'd personally recommend against adding any brewing salt to water unless you KNOW the water you're using lacks the minerals you're adding. most tap water in the US is fine for brewing most beers, and unless your water is particularly soft or lacking trace elements, you could brew a Newcastle type beer without the addition of brewing salts.