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

[Zoidberg]

I want to make a simple, refreshing ale to share with my mother this summer, so I'm going to try a partial-boil extract version of this. This will only be my 3rd batch, so I would love to get some recipe feedback before brew day.

Batch size: 5 gal.
Boil volume: 3.67 gal.
Est. OG: 1.043
Est. FG: 1.010
Est. ABV: 4.3%
IBUs: 19.5

3 lbs. Gold LME
3 lbs. Gold LME (late addition)
0.5 oz. Centennial (first wort hop addition)
1 oz. Cascade (0.25 oz @ 15, 10, 5 and 0 minutes)
1 pkg Notty or US-05?

I've kind of stripped this down to a KISS version... The LME I'll be using is Northern Brewer's Gold (same as Briess Golden Light), made from 2-row and a bit of carapils. I read that extract will be a little darker and have a bit more un-fermentable sugar than the all-grain version of the same ingredients, so I thought I could leave out the crystal 10L. Any thoughts?

Hello and good luck with your third brew. I would suggest you keep the hop schedule the same. Mine came out great with this hop schedule. I did dryhop with 1/2oz cascade per 5 gallons for half of my batch, which was very good as well. If you have access to it, use a program like beersmith to program in your lme additions and adjust the first centennial addition to adjust to the same IBUs.

 

[Amesanite]

Just started mashing this recipe. 6am what the hell am I thinking lol. This is my second AG brew. Well second brew in general.
Wanna say thanks to all the wonderful knowledge in these forums. I've been doing research about brewing for a month and decided that this and Edworts Haus pale ale to cut my teeth with.

Wish me luck.

 

[Shinerfan]

Finally did this for my first AG, have never had so much krausen with my extract brews!!! Its only been seventeen hours since it was pitched,I think I can dig this way of brewing

 

[Cider123]

I just started drinking my first batch of CB. Followed the recipe closely. I don't get much hops flavor or aroma at all from this. In fact it is a bit bland to me, although there is nothing disagreeable about it.
I just ordered the recipe supplies for the blonde ale from Radical Brewing, although that hops bill seems overly aggressive.

 

[brewmasterbates]

A nice subtle blonde ale should not be too overly hoppy, unless it's what you want. Technically, almost anything falls under the category of an american blonde hybrid ale. If you want it more hoppy, just add more hops. You could go with some cascades at flame out, or simply just up your final 2 hop additions by a 1/2 ounce each. We did that last time with our centennial blonde and the faint, subtle hint of citrus about 3/4 seconds after swallowing was outstanding. The one we have on tap now, we scaled the hop back and have a nice, mellow breaddy mouth feel. If you really overly hop a golden ale, you're just really changing it to a light pale ale. Also, I found that adding a little honey malt (approx 1 lb) really turns it a nice golden color and actually gives it a nice, dry/crisp finish.

Also, we exclusively use the Notty05 yeast with this, IMO it's a perfect marraige for these hops & grains.

 

[MarcusKillion]

I made my batch 3 weeks ago. Bottled on Monday. It carbed up pretty quick. This does have a bit of a bitter aftertaste. I dont know what it is coming from. Im very new to brewing. Started about 4 months ago. Have made about 60 gallons so far. What is this Tannins taste everybody is speaking of? Maybe this beer just needs to age a bit more

sometimes the bitter aftertaste will go away after the bottles have conditioned for a month or so .
If you crushed your grain too fine and it also crushed up the hull then you can get tannins which may have a slight bitter flavor not like hop bitter. The tannins come from the hull mainly . Make sure your hulls are intact , just split in half and the insides of the grain are crushed up . Too hot sparge water or steeping water will draw them out . Do not go over 170.

If you are using AG then perhaps you will want to condition your grain so you can get a finer grind without grinding up the hull . Go here for that .
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/wiki/index.php/Malt_Conditioning

Keep in mind that blondes are light on flavor and any bitter is going to stand out more than say on an brown beer.
you may also like to hold off on that centennial addition until later on in the boil say about 20 or 25 minutes if you would like more hop flavor and less of the bitter from it . Still I think your bitter is from the grain since centennial is not very bitter .

 

[orion7144]

Do you mean Danstar Nottingham or Safale US-05?

 

[MarcusKillion]

I just started drinking my first batch of CB. Followed the recipe closely. I don't get much hops flavor or aroma at all from this. In fact it is a bit bland to me, although there is nothing disagreeable about it.
I just ordered the recipe supplies for the blonde ale from Radical Brewing, although that hops bill seems overly aggressive.

I agree with brewmasterbates . Blondes are low on the flavor side . They do not have all them specialty grains that make other beers rich flavored and thus too much hops would make them quite hoppy like a pale ale . I like mine a bit more hoppy so I like to dry hop blondes with hallertauer or kent goldings or fuggles .

 

[brewmasterbates]

the Danstar Notty-05

 

[PartTimeJedi]

Brewed this yesterday, gearing up for summer. Gravity ended up being 1.044, so I would say that was pretty spot on...Really excited to try it! Thanks BierMuncher!:rockin:

 

[Amesanite]

Brewed this yesterday, gearing up for summer. Gravity ended up being 1.044, so I would say that was pretty spot on...Really excited to try it! Thanks BierMuncher!:rockin:

I just got done brewing this and got 1.042 OG. I'm pretty stoked at my efficiency since this is only my second brewing experience. Did AG BIAB 1.5 gal small batch. Only took 3.5 hours. I'm very ready to try this one in a few weeks.

 

[Cider123]

I agree with brewmasterbates . Blondes are low on the flavor side . They do not have all them specialty grains that make other beers rich flavored and thus too much hops would make them quite hoppy like a pale ale . I like mine a bit more hoppy so I like to dry hop blondes with hallertauer or kent goldings or fuggles .

Thanks guys. That makes a lot of sense about too much hops makes it a light pale ale. I don't want that either. I might just up the flavor addition by 1/4 to 1/2 oz.

I did use Notty. What about a yeast like Wyeast Whitbread 1099 or any of the yeasts that leave a slightly more malty flavor? I don't want this to become what it's not, I just want a bit more flavor than what I'm getting.

 

[mhurst111]

Thanks, I'm debating doing the exact same thing so am curious to know results.

Just bottled the strawberry blonde. The picture is the dregs of the bottling bucket which had just a thin film of trub settled out on the bottom. Definite strawberry nose and sweet flavor. Hopefully it will clear some in the bottles. Tastes good when flat and a little warm, looking forward to it with a week or more of bottle time.

 

[pfgonzo]

Brewed it up this weekend. Couldn't get Crystal 10, so went with 15. Might be a smidge darker, but shouldn't be too noticeable!

This was the inaugural brew on my new stand. Efficiency hit 78% on a LHBS-crush. Not bad!

Excited to see how this turns out!

 

[MarcusKillion]

Thanks guys. That makes a lot of sense about too much hops makes it a light pale ale. I don't want that either. I might just up the flavor addition by 1/4 to 1/2 oz.

I did use Notty. What about a yeast like Wyeast Whitbread 1099 or any of the yeasts that leave a slightly more malty flavor? I don't want this to become what it's not, I just want a bit more flavor than what I'm getting.

I can not say about yeast as I almost exclusively use Safale 05 or nottingham . How ever if you just want a bit more hop flavor add it in late or use a bit more flavor hops or add in some DME perhaps . I usually add in DME to most of my partial mash kits to get a little more flavor and ABV . Should work for this I guess.
If you are not in a hurry maybe dry hop it . Maybe take a gallon out and dry hop that with what ever hops you like and see how that turns out . i use a gallon water jug for doing that . I just drilled a hole in the cap and put in a grommet and stick in a air lock . Tape around the cap to make sure it is sealed off. Nice for trying out stuff without ruining 5 G of otherwise good beer.
If you add in your bitter hops at a later time in the boil you will get more hop flavor and less bitter .
If you dry hop you will get more aroma than flavor I think and not much bitter at all.

 

[mdbrewer1]

I made a 2 1/4 gallon extract batch of this and tossed it in my Mr. Beer LBK last Wednesday. I took a hydrometer sample tonight and it was only 1.014 and the test sample still had bubbles, but I tasted the sample and it was awesome. I can't wait to get it for it to finish and get it bottled. What kind of FG have some of the others who did extract get?

It was my second batch, first was a NB kit, and am quite pleased. I tried to have it ready for when my BMC drinking dad comes in about a week and a half, but I don't think it will make it (or at least won't be fully carbed). I had my fingers crossed that I'd be able to bottle tomorrow, but I don't see that happening. I'll have to see what he thinks about the Irish Red that is ready instead.

Thanks for the great recipe! I might step up to BIAB next time and compare.

 

[Spinrathen]

Awesome thanks, can't wait to hear how great the strawberry version tastes!

 

[pfgonzo]

Hmmm, just noticed my cooling plug wasn't properly attached to my stc-1000 box. Pitched about 24 hours ago and its prob been at 72 most of that time. Any off flavors i can expect?

I ask because I've read a bunch of threads about people hating on nottingham beers fermented above 70 or so as being terrible.

 

[bikenbrew75]

just kegged my first 5 gallon batch of the Blonde. Quite possibly the lightest beer I've ever brewed. Tastes good. I'm dry hopping this with a 1/2 oz of Saaz 2.4AA in the keg while conditioning to give it a little more flavor. FG was 1.008-1.009. I'll call it 4.9 ABV. so far I'm thinking it will come out well.

 

[wyobrewer1]

Any thoughts on using S-33 on this?

 

[MarcusKillion]

I ferment at 72 degrees room temp all the time . the beer will actually be about 3 degrees warmer . Never noticed any bad flavors . Do not allow it to reach 80 or you will get flavors you do not want but may or may not be bad tasting .
How ever Danstar nottingham is 54 to 70 recommended . I doubt going a bit over is going to lead to bad anything it is just the optimal temps for the process to work in .
I like safale 05 because it goes up to 74 degrees and my rooms are at 72 most of the time .
that is my opinion anyway from brewing millions of gallons of beer ( okay that may be stretching it just a little ) with almost all notty or safale . your mileage may vary

 

[MarcusKillion]

I have some problems on the last two batches done with danstar from my LHBS . Did not seem to be very healthy yeast . No action when I added in some sugar to test it after rehydration . so this time in this brew I just tested my FG at 1.013 after 4 days . Not good in my opinion . so I just rehydrated a pack of safale05 and it is good . Added that in through the air lock grommet with a funnel . Should have used the safale in the first place after I rehydrated the notty and it did not look in good shape . My bad .
So my point is , we will see what re pitching yeast after 4 days fermentation does for this beer

 

[brewmasterbates]

I don't know why I hear all this "I had a problem with the danstar notty 05", I have used this yeast, oh maybe 25 times and NEVER had a problem with it. It tastes so outstanding, I have a hard time NOT using it. Why are people having issues with this yeast? Normally, I pitch a 1 qt starter with some golden/light DME, let it spin for 48 hrs to double the yield. Then cool my wort to 65 degrees, stir in yeast while airating seal it up and it ferments out in usually 3/4 days. Gives my golden ales an absolutly delicious taste. I just don't know what the hell people are doing to botch this.

 

[brewmasterbates]

one other thing, is anyone here checking and/or adjust their water PH? We use water from the springs at Saratoga. We have noticed that it changes all the time. Sometimes it at 7.0, last time it was 8.0. So we have added some gypsum to the boil water, and have to add some lactic acid (approx 5-7 drops) into the mash. Usually, these yellow beers need some sort of additives we have found over time. If you are not checking you water, or making adjustments to it, you could be opening yourself up to off flavors. cool site to check out is brewinwater.com, interesting info there for beer geeks.

 

[Spinrathen]

I don't know why I hear all this "I had a problem with the danstar notty 05", I have used this yeast, oh maybe 25 times and NEVER had a problem with it. It tastes so outstanding, I have a hard time NOT using it. Why are people having issues with this yeast? Normally, I pitch a 1 qt starter with some golden/light DME, let it spin for 48 hrs to double the yield. Then cool my wort to 65 degrees, stir in yeast while airating seal it up and it ferments out in usually 3/4 days. Gives my golden ales an absolutly delicious taste. I just don't know what the hell people are doing to botch this.

A lot of people don't make a starter, so you would know you had a problem before you pitched if you did get a bad batch. There have been problems with different lots of notty in the past. I've personally never had any problems, but lots of people have. I think it has less to do with them and more to do with quality or shipping problems on danstars end.

 

[brewmasterbates]

Interesting, at my local zyrmgyst, all the yeast is dated and fresh, and always refrigerated. I have never gotten a bad yeast out of the 100 or so brews we've done. Also, I have never ordered anything in the mail, wouldn't trust it.

 

[Spinrathen]

Interesting, at my local zyrmgyst, all the yeast is dated and fresh, and always refrigerated. I have never gotten a bad yeast out of the 100 or so brews we've done. Also, I have never ordered anything in the mail, wouldn't trust it.

Ya I wouldn't order yeast by mail either. Some people don't have any other option though I guess.

 

[NoTrubble]

When I first tried this beer young I was like "yuck" but as it aged out it started tasting really good. Of all the batches I done since switching to AG it's been the only one that I actually liked! Now that the keezer is operational I think I may have a go at it again. Of course I gotta try one from my 200 Clone Beer book first.

 

[MarcusKillion]

I don't know why I hear all this "I had a problem with the danstar notty 05", I have used this yeast, oh maybe 25 times and NEVER had a problem with it. It tastes so outstanding, I have a hard time NOT using it. Why are people having issues with this yeast? Normally, I pitch a 1 qt starter with some golden/light DME, let it spin for 48 hrs to double the yield. Then cool my wort to 65 degrees, stir in yeast while airating seal it up and it ferments out in usually 3/4 days. Gives my golden ales an absolutly delicious taste. I just don't know what the hell people are doing to botch this.

never used a starter before . I just rehydrate and sometimes add in a 1/2 teaspoon of sugar to see if the yeast is healthy. always had real good luck with it but seems the last two batches did not ferment out good . I did do one thing different on them . I used a paint stirrer on a drill to aerate the wort which made a huge amount of foam from the rice I would guess and may not be adding in enough oxygen since the foam could be carrying out the oxygen and not allowing it to mix in .
but I did check one packet of yeast and it did not react to the sugar so I am sure it was just old or something .
the only two problems I have ever had with Notty . Great yeast in my opinion

 

[MarcusKillion]

Ya I wouldn't order yeast by mail either. Some people don't have any other option though I guess.

I made that mistake once . Ordered liquid and it came while I was at work and sat on the porch in 100 degree weather for who knows how long and also took 4 days to get here .