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Suggestions for a light Color summer beer

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AMH_

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Nov 22, 2015
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Looking for suggestions on a light Color beer to brew for the summer.
5 gal batch
We don't have a lager setup.
 
I'd vote for an american wheat, with noble hops. something along the lines of

5# 2 row ( I prefer MO)
5# white wheat
.5 lb crystal 20L
Mash 152, 1 hour

Hallertauer 1 oz 60 min
Saaz 1 oz 5 min
Saaz 1 oz dry hop 5 days

Yeast US-05


That there is a go to summer recipe, more or less. Simple Delicious. Make corrections as needed. Cheers
 
Assuming you're interested in an extract recipe because of where you posted your question, you'll want to covert the all grain recipes to extract. Extra light dry extract will give you the lightest color. Add 1/3 to 1/2 the total at the beginning of the boil and the rest at flame out. Boiling the lesser amount for the full 60 minutes will help keep the color light.

There are other threads that can help you covert the all grain amounts to extract equivalents.
 
The Orange American Wheat in the recipe section is pretty solid... Very refreshing and incorporates orange peel. Goes great with a fresh orange slice.
 
I like a pale ale with C-hops. I have made many variations... Cascade and Centennial are my favorites, though I use them as a base and add something else often.
 
I just brewed a Maris Otter/Chinook SMASH this past Saturday & by far, the lightest color I have ever brewed. Looking forward to trying this out in a week or so.
 
I'd vote for an american wheat, with noble hops. something along the lines of

5# 2 row ( I prefer MO)
5# white wheat
.5 lb crystal 20L
Mash 152, 1 hour

Hallertauer 1 oz 60 min
Saaz 1 oz 5 min
Saaz 1 oz dry hop 5 days

Yeast US-05


That there is a go to summer recipe, more or less. Simple Delicious. Make corrections as needed. Cheers

I am fond of Summer Wheat Ales as well, though I would probably split your grain bill in half and add just enough corn sugar to stay right around 3%, using Mangrove Jack's M-27 yeast for good citrus character. Very light and refreshing. This year I might try US-05 and some fruit additions.
 
I am fond of Summer Wheat Ales as well, though I would probably split your grain bill in half and add just enough corn sugar to stay right around 3%, using Mangrove Jack's M-27 yeast for good citrus character. Very light and refreshing. This year I might try US-05 and some fruit additions.

That sounds like a really tasty meal replacement, although I'd have to keep the same amount of grain and double the volume because I'd be drinking that for breakfast. I don't see anything wrong with 12oz, 3% beer for breakfast.
 
That sounds like a really tasty meal replacement, although I'd have to keep the same amount of grain and double the volume because I'd be drinking that for breakfast. I don't see anything wrong with 12oz, 3% beer for breakfast.

Funny you should say that. I took a case on vacation to New Orleans last summer and had 2 pints every morning. That and a hot shower before looking for adventure.
 
I just made a batch of this. Mosaic/maris otter SMaSH pale ale. It's delicious. The lightest (color) beer I've made yet.

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=420922
No
This is good too. Pours clear and bright like a BMC, but with ale character .. http://brulosophy.com/recipes/brulosophers-blonde-ale/
No
This centennial blonde is great I just got the ingredients to make my third and forth 5 gallon batches.
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=42841
No
My Summer Citra Cerveza is quite good in the summer. Scroll down to version 2.0 for my latest updates...
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=449595
No
I'd vote for an american wheat, with noble hops. something along the lines of

5# 2 row ( I prefer MO)
5# white wheat
.5 lb crystal 20L
Mash 152, 1 hour

Hallertauer 1 oz 60 min
Saaz 1 oz 5 min
Saaz 1 oz dry hop 5 days

Yeast US-05


That there is a go to summer recipe, more or less. Simple Delicious. Make corrections as needed. Cheers
No
The Orange American Wheat in the recipe section is pretty solid... Very refreshing and incorporates orange peel. Goes great with a fresh orange slice.
No
Defalcos Gumbyhead American Wheat is pretty good for summer. Easy to make and quick turn around. The recipe can be found at http://www.defalcos.com/basic-brew-recipes.html?layout=edit&id=237.
No
I like a pale ale with C-hops. I have made many variations... Cascade and Centennial are my favorites, though I use them as a base and add something else often.
No
I'm surprised nobody has recommended a Saison yet. It worked for hundreds of years during the summers in France and Belgium.
Yes
I just brewed a Maris Otter/Chinook SMASH this past Saturday & by far, the lightest color I have ever brewed. Looking forward to trying this out in a week or so.
No
I am fond of Summer Wheat Ales as well, though I would probably split your grain bill in half and add just enough corn sugar to stay right around 3%, using Mangrove Jack's M-27 yeast for good citrus character. Very light and refreshing. This year I might try US-05 and some fruit additions.
No
Bee cave pale ale Good stuff!
:mug:
No
I just started drinking the Dry Dock Apricot Blonde Ale kit from Northern Brewer that I brewed six weeks ago. It is fantastic! I brewed the all grain version, but here is a link to the extract kit.

http://www.northernbrewer.com/dry-dock-paragon-apricot-blonde-pro-series-extract-kit-w-specialty-grains
No
I've been wanting to make this Apex Predator clone. The recipe is for a 3-gallon batch, but you can math, right?
YES
 
I'm surprised nobody has recommended a Saison yet. It worked for hundreds of years during the summers in France and Belgium.

Yep. I just brewed up Northern Brewer's Petite Saison d'Ete, makes for a great Summer brew. I made it last year, was the first saison I ever tried, and really liked it.
 
Kolsch. Super nice summer beer.

Light, crisp, and usually a crowd favorite :)
 
i hate to admit this but, my go to light summer beer is Munton's Export Pilsner...a pre-hopped canned malt...20 bucks. Add a couple of pounds of sugar, 20 minute boil, I will an extra oz of Columbus hops and a bit of orange peel end of boil.

Too easy, too cheap, light, clean and tastes just like beer. It goes really fast, folks like it.
 
I recommend an extract version of Cream of 3 Crops. I did one last year for my BMC brother-in-law, and we killed 5 gallons in a week.

4 lbs Extra light DME
8 oz Corn Sugar
1 oz Willamette (6% AAU) 60 min
.5 oz Saaz (3% AAU) 30 min
1lb Rice Syrup Solids 10 min
Whirfloc 10 mins

Ferment with US-05, Cold Crash, Carbonate, and Enjoy!
 
little bit of an old thread, but I'd like to recommend this:

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=584568

but use Kolsch (Wyeast 2565) yeast vice the Northwest ale, and ferment at about 60 degrees for 18 days in Primary, and then secondary it and let it sit "lagering" sort of for about 30 days or so at a lower temp (maybe 48-52) to allow the additional time for the yeast to drop out of fermentation, thus leaving you a much brighter beer :)
 
Sorry...I just realized this is the extract board. Well....if you happen to have moved over to all grain, see above :)
 
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