WY 1469 yeast focused pale ale?

[rhys333]

Hey everyone,
I love the flavor and aroma with 1469 and have been toying with the idea of a pale ale focusing on the yeast. Hops are there, but more as a background contributor (yup, homebrew heracy). Hoping for your feedback on the following recipe:

PALE ALE, 5% ABV
83% Maris Otter
4.5% Vienna
4.5% Carapils
8% Honey @ 5 mins
Bittering @ 60 and flavor hops @ 10 (35 IBU total). No aroma hops.
WY 1469 West Yorks. Ferment at 72F for increased esters.

MO and Vienna grains for colour, grain and malt character. Carapils for head retention and a little dextrin smoothness. I originally planned the recipe WITHOUT honey and a 148F mash to increase attenuation from the low 69% average to about 75%. WITH the honey I would raise mash to 153F. In addition to lightening the body slightly, I'm hoping for subtle floral aroma from the honey. As for hops, neutral magnum bittering and maybe a columbus/cascade flavor addition (floral like the honey). I'm toying with mosaic instead, which would be more fruity, maybe a better complement to the fruity 1469 esters.

Anyway, appreciate your thoughts on this!

 

[giraffe]

I really doubt the 4% vienna will be distinguishable from just using 87% MO. They are a similar color and level of toast, its different than if the base was 2 row. Then again it wont hurt anything.
Im not a fan of the honey, but to each their own. Should be a fine summer bitter.

I like first gold with 1469, the orange marmalade flavor works well, if you have it in your area. Pallisade is nice too. But there isnt alot of hops anyways.

 

[JKaranka]

For late hops, what about EKG/Cascade or Willamette/First Gold? You mentioned floral there, and I'm not sure I get that much floral from Columbus or Mosaic. You could remove the Vienna completely, or sub it for a small amount (like 2.5% of Amber malt or a medium crystal malt). I think the small amount of honey is a good idea for a summer ale!

Also, if you want the hops to be in the background, I'd make the late addition around the 20m or 15m mark.