Blonde Ale Centennial Blonde (Simple 4% All Grain, 5 & 10 Gall)

[slatkin]

This was my first all grain. I went with BIAB and was really worried about getting my mash right. Brewed and put in primary sunday 8-19-12 hit O.G. almost spot on at 1.052 five days later it is already at 1.005 and taste great. If it wasnt for wanting to clear it a bit I think it could be bottled and carbed immediatly. This is amazing. I think I may have just found the perfect beer to convert my BMC friends to homebrew and my perfect "Lawnmower" beer once i get the ABV down some. Thanks to the OP.

 

[Brewnoob1]

Did the AG and just kegged today after two weeks in primary. The sample was delicious

 

[Jukas]

Been trying to get a reply from BM on his recipe.. maybe others can help. There seems to be a slight difference in the ratios of Cara-Pils from the 10G batch to the 5G batch.. I'm wanting to do a 2.5G batch and was wondering if the C-P or any other item would change in ratio. Are both recipes correct or is one a mis-type or ??

Heck.. maybe the difference is negligible. I'm hoping to buy the ingredients to do this after I brew Yooper's Pale Ale.

I'm going to say the difference is negligible, but his math is off on his 11g v s 5.5g batch. He has 1.25lb on the 11g batch which works out to .11lb per gallon. His 5.5gal batch should be .61lb of Carapils, but in reality we're talking about 9.76oz vs 12oz

I took the liberty of throwing his 11g recipe into Beersmith and then scaled it own to 2.5gal for you (I'd still suggest a minimum of a 5.5gal batch, it's a tasty brew). You can ignore the boil sizes as it's based on my equipment profile.

Recipe: BM Centennial HBT
Asst Brewer: 
Style: Blonde Ale
TYPE: All Grain
Taste: (30.0) 

Recipe Specifications
--------------------------
Boil Size: 5.40 gal
Post Boil Volume: 3.90 gal
Batch Size (fermenter): 2.50 gal   
Bottling Volume: 2.00 gal
Estimated OG: 1.039 SG
Estimated Color: 3.6 SRM
Estimated IBU: 20.9 IBUs
Brewhouse Efficiency: 70.00 %
Est Mash Efficiency: 105.0 %
Boil Time: 60 Minutes

Ingredients:
------------
Amt                   Name                                     Type          #        %/IBU         
2 lbs 13.4 oz         Pale Malt (2 Row) US (2.0 SRM)           Grain         1        72.1 %        
10.4 oz               Caramel/Crystal Malt - 10L (10.0 SRM)    Grain         2        16.4 %        
4.0 oz                Cara-Pils/Dextrine (2.0 SRM)             Grain         3        6.4 %         
3.2 oz                Vienna Malt (3.5 SRM)                    Grain         4        5.1 %         
0.14 oz               Centennial [9.50 %] - Boil 55.0 min      Hop           5        8.3 IBUs      
0.14 oz               Centennial [9.50 %] - Boil 35.0 min      Hop           6        7.0 IBUs      
0.14 oz               Cascade [7.80 %] - Boil 20.0 min         Hop           7        4.2 IBUs      
0.14 oz               Cascade [7.80 %] - Boil 5.0 min          Hop           8        1.4 IBUs

 

[jmich24]

Just brewed This with all fresh off the bine centennial hops. Hoping if turns out well.

 

[Jukas]

Thanks for the help. I want a bottling volume of 2.5 G. I'm not positive what my boil off will be with this recipe... I've discussed this in the past and it seems mine is very little. So, I'm going to TOTALLY leave the lid off this time and get a continuous good boil going.. per Yooper. So, I'll figure 3/4 G boil off plus some for the grain plus some for the trub. I'll have to work that part out.. but, hope those numbers for ingredients work out.. or do I have to scale them back up a bit for the extra 1/2 gallon..?

This part is all new to me as it is my first AG. I'll be keeping a close watch on the numbers this time so I can start to develop an equipment profile for myself..

Probably the best way to figure it out is to either, do some brews and see or do a 'dry run' with just water. Don't forget you'll lose some volume to shrinkage when cooling, and some gets left behind in the fermenter when racking to keg or bottling bucket.

The nice thing about using software like beersmith is that once you get it dialed in, it tracks boiloff & absorption rates & deadspace in your equipment profile so you only have to do moderate seasonal adjustments for boiloff differences in summer/winter/fall/spring etc.

That recipe above was geared towards 2.5gal into the fermenter If you aren't comfortable that you'll the numbers dead on you could always add a bit more base 2 row which will end up with either A) on target OG is your need to produce more volume B) slightly higher OG if those numbers are on track.

For me 4% ABV is already on the low end, and I don't usually go lower than 4.5% even for a lawnmower beer. I personally have tuned BM's recipe closer to 5.1% ABV. But that's the awesome thing about this hobby, so many different ways to do things and still end up with tasty beer.

 

[jmd1971]

Agreed - Citra is very citrusy & I think it would be excellent...but not the same beer. I've brewed this & it's very mild - from the malt bill to the hops. Citra will bring a more bitter, fruity profile which I think would be nice, just different than intended. Really depends on your audience's tolerance for hops. If you backed off on the Citra, you may be ok. I'm intrigued myself so if you brew it with Citra, please post the results!

 

[Czm]

this was my first all grain. transfered to secondary today (needed another fermenter). IT tasted good! Cant wait to keg it.

 

[MicahB]

Just transferred this to the secondary to crash last night, the hydro sample I pulled was seriously the best I've ever tasted! I'm so excited to get this on tap!

 

[Dcmpres]

Last week I felt the need to experiment with some MO and Amarillo hops as substitues, so I could get an idea of how those would change the brew. It was good, but I enjoyed the original. So today I decided to jump into the my first AG brews after a trip to MoreBeer. I had a couple of hiccups along the way dealing with my set-up, but it went rather smoothly I just say. I batch sparged and figured I might come up a little shy on my OG, but I overshoot it by 4 points. I'll take that. I am looking forward to kegging this up for a work BBQ in two weeks. Thanks, again BM.

 

[Spicemon1972]

I just brewed the extract version of this today and it is happily percolating away in my primary. Funny thing is that I found this recipe on thebeerbarrel.net while searching for a simple blonde recipe. I only found this thread after brewing the beer.
Thanks BM, if my gravity sample is any indication, this is going to be a very delicious beer that I will have trouble keeping in the fridge for any amount of time.
Cheers!

 

[MicahB]

HOLY EFFING ****!
Sorry, had to get that out first. But seriously, I racked this into the keg yesterday after a three week primary and a one week secondary(I'm anal about clarity) to get it carbed up for a family get together next weekend. But last night impatience got the better of me so I pulled of a glass to share with SWMBO and all I can say is that this is by far the best beer I've ever brewed and possibly even tasted!!! It is ridiculously good! It's light, crisp and even SWMBO said it was the best I've ever made and stole the glass from me. My question is, is that there is a distinct citrusy-note to it but not in a bad, off-flavor way(stringent temp control) is this from the hop-profile? Either way, thanks to BM- you sir have made this world a better place!

 

[grasshopperfirestarter]

I picked up most of the ingredients today! Shop didn't have any Centennial hops so I went with 7 C's. Going to brew tomorrow and hope to have it ready on Sunday September 16th for a work party. 4 days primary. 3 days secondary. 4 days on gas in keg. Love me BM recipes!

 

[DagoBrewer]

I have brewed this 4 times now.. the last three times i used the wlp001 yeast. I have to say, the first batch was epic, but the last 3 were better due to the change of yeast. I actually have half a keg left of the last batch of this and i got weird and used a teaspoon of bitter orange peel for the last 10 minutes and have had crazy reviews from all my friends! By far the best batch using this recipe so far! The 001 and orange peel add such a crispy summerish twist on this beer that its hard to not guzzle every glass! Ill definetly keep this one on tap at all times in my house!! Cheers!!

 

[StittsvilleJames]

I think this is my new house ale. The best part was when I took a sip and the angel trumpets sounded as the unicorns and I danced in the wild flower meadow with the 72 virgins in the warm sunshine. True Story.

 

[Slyko]

I have brewed this 4 times now.. the last three times i used the wlp001 yeast. I have to say, the first batch was epic, but the last 3 were better due to the change of yeast. I actually have half a keg left of the last batch of this and i got weird and used a teaspoon of bitter orange peel for the last 10 minutes and have had crazy reviews from all my friends! By far the best batch using this recipe so far! The 001 and orange peel add such a crispy summerish twist on this beer that its hard to not guzzle every glass! Ill definetly keep this one on tap at all times in my house!! Cheers!!

Orange Peel? I gotta try that!

Now I have 8 lbs of fresh Cascade hops & 8 lbs of fresh Centennial arriving tomorrow, but help me out, I've been told I need to use more fresh hops than pellets. What's the scoop?

BM for President, 2x!

 

[jmd1971]

8 POUNDS each! Wow, that's a huge haul!

 

[DagoBrewer]

It just seems like alot more because the pellets are so condensed and the whole are so fluffy. Its still the same ounce to ounce, just need a bigger bowl to measure out the whole leaf.

The orange peel does somethung amazing to the finish of this blonde! Just use a tsp tho, easy to over do it with this stuff!!

 

[chemdoc]

Orange Peel? I gotta try that!

Now I have 8 lbs of fresh Cascade hops & 8 lbs of fresh Centennial arriving tomorrow, but help me out, I've been told I need to use more fresh hops than pellets. What's the scoop?

BM for President, 2x!

I have been wanting to do this all summer! A buddy has Cascade growing in this backyard and has been wanting me to brew something with them. He didn't have much of a crop this year and I have been too busy to squeeze something into the rotation, so I'll be interested to hear how yours turns out.
Remember that the pellets (and normal leaf) hops are dried, and the fresh hops still contain quite a bit of water. I think most say you need to use 5-6 times the weight if you are using fresh (wet) hops, but don't take my word for it. I'm sure you can find the info on the site, or someone will chime in if I am mistaken. Good luck and keep us updated.

 

[chemdoc]

I have been wanting to do this all summer! A buddy has Cascade growing in this backyard and has been wanting me to brew something with them. He didn't have much of a crop this year and I have been too busy to squeeze something into the rotation, so I'll be interested to hear how yours turns out.
Remember that the pellets (and normal leaf) hops are dried, and the fresh hops still contain quite a bit of water. I think most say you need to use 5-6 times the weight if you are using fresh (wet) hops, but don't take my word for it. I'm sure you can find the info on the site, or someone will chime in if I am mistaken. Good luck and keep us updated.

Sorry, maybe I misunderstood. Are you using whole leaf or fresh(wet) hops? If just whole leaf, use as normal. If wet, you need to account for the water. Regardless, good luck.

 

[Slyko]

I have no fing clue. My LHBS was jumping up & down about these fresh hops just off the vine. I have no idea what they are, I guess they're just the blossoms picked off the vine. He's telling me to use them immediately cuz they're super FRESH! My beer is gonna be KICK ASS!

Now what about using the rind off fresh oranges????

I guess I'll have to brew a lot of beer with 16 lbs of hops!

 

[chemdoc]

I have no fing clue. My LHBS was jumping up & down about these fresh hops just off the vine. I have no idea what they are, I guess they're just the blossoms picked off the vine. He's telling me to use them immediately cuz they're super FRESH! My beer is gonna be KICK ASS!

Now what about using the rind off fresh oranges????

I guess I'll have to brew a lot of beer with 16 lbs of hops!

Looks like you'll be getting the "wet" kind. Every year my LHBS does the same thing, trying to get people to buy these. you'll be able to tell when they arrive because they will look very green and feel "wet" like fresh flowers. Normal whole hops tend to look like dried flowers. 16 pounds is still a lot, even if you divide that by 5 or 6 to account for the water. happy brewing.

 

[Slyko]

OK, OK, OK,

Since you guys have been giving me grief about this 8 lbs stuff................... I went & checked my receipt.

Oops! I goofed!

It's 8 oz, not 8 lbs!

Damn! I'd be brewing into next year with 16 lbs of hops!

P.S. HBT keeps you on point.

Now what about fresh orange peel? I'm sold on fresh. Fresh trumps anything & everything you buy dried, packaged, or bagged in a store. Per Beersmith: Bitter Orange Peel = Curaco Orange Peel, peels are green-gray in color. Used to add a distinctive flavor to Belgian Wits and White beers.

Anything & everything beer related can be found on HBT.

 

[MorningGloryBrew]

I bottled my first batch of Centennial Blonde last night and had a couple of questions for anybody who's brewed it. The hydrometer sample was nice and crisp, with a deliciously slight sweetness & hoppiness. But there was a heavy bready flavor (not exactly what I'd call malty, more of a white bread taste) component to it that I wasn't expecting.

I know it'll taste different after it's carbed and chilled, but I was just wondering if that's a flavor profile others have noticed in the beer. Either way I'm anxious to crack a couple open in a few weeks.

 

[BierMuncher]

I bottled my first batch of Centennial Blonde last night and had a couple of questions for anybody who's brewed it. The hydrometer sample was nice and crisp, with a deliciously slight sweetness & hoppiness. But there was a heavy bready flavor (not exactly what I'd call malty, more of a white bread taste) component to it that I wasn't expecting.

I know it'll taste different after it's carbed and chilled, but I was just wondering if that's a flavor profile others have noticed in the beer. Either way I'm anxious to crack a couple open in a few weeks.

Your tasting a lot of yeast in suspension. Chill those bottles and the yeast will settle, the carbonation will lend its bite and all will be well.

 

[MorningGloryBrew]

Thanks for the reply... this is my 7th batch, but my first 6 were either very heavy on the hops, on the roast, or on the Belgian funk and may have masked that flavor. Thanks a lot for the recipe!

 

[Fordzilla]

I've brewed the extract version twice. This weekend, if the rain will hold out, I will be doing the AG version as my first attempt at BIAB. I can't wait to try it out!

 

[DagoBrewer]

I've brewed the extract version twice. This weekend, if the rain will hold out, I will be doing the AG version as my first attempt at BIAB. I can't wait to try it out!

Awesome!! This is a good recipe to start out with, nice and simple! Just remember to be patient every step of the way. I was impatient with my first couple AG batches and turned out with cloudy low FG beer.

 

[chemdoc]

I've brewed the extract version this weekend, if the rain will hold out, I will be doing the AG version as my first attempt at BIAB. I can't wait to try it out!

My nephew is interested in starting to brew and I have been considering doing this as an extract with him as a "first time out." I want his first brew to be a great experience. I have a simple starter kit scrapped together from some of my gear so extract is a good place for him to start. How did you like the extract version? The AG version is great, just wondering if the extract compares.

 

[Fordzilla]

My nephew is interested in starting to brew and I have been considering doing this as an extract with him as a "first time out." I want his first brew to be a great experience. I have a simple starter kit scrapped together from some of my gear so extract is a good place for him to start. How did you like the extract version? The AG version is great, just wondering if the extract compares.

The extract version is delicious. I've shared it with a lot of people, and all of them loved it. This includes my friends in their mid-20s who drink craft beer and my 50+ year old uncles who have a specific commercial brand they drink and they won't buy anything else.

I think it's a great recipe to get someone started brewing with, because they won't want to stop drinking it!

 

[chemdoc]

The extract version is delicious. I've shared it with a lot of people, and all of them loved it. This includes my friends in their mid-20s who drink craft beer and my 50+ year old uncles who have a specific commercial brand they drink and they won't buy anything else.

I think it's a great recipe to get someone started brewing with, because they won't want to stop drinking it!

That was the plan. Get him to make an exceptional beer first try and then he will be hooked. Thanks for the info. I'll give it a shot and report back.