Wednesday 21 December 2011

Ulysses 31

Grist
75% Pale ale malt
10% Munich
8% Wheat malt
6% Caramunich II
1% Amber malt

Hops & Additions
13g US Magnus (16%AA) 60 mins  (21IBU)
30g Aus Galaxy (13.8%AA) 10 mins (15 IBU)
25g Aus Galaxy (13.8%AA) 5 mins (7 IBU)
25g Aus Galaxy (13.8%AA) Flame out

20g Dry hop for 5 days post fermentation


Yeast
200ml thick yeast slurry (WLP090 San Diego Super Yeast)

Water
Adjusted to ‘Pale ale’ as per http://www.jimsbeerkit.co.uk/water/water.html

Method
Mash at 65 degrees for 60 minutes
Boil for 60 minutes with additions as above.
Cool to 20 degrees and pitch yeast




Target Specifications
OG: 1.052
FG: 1.012
ABV: 5.3% ABV
IBU: 43.8 (Tinseth)
SRM: 7.4
Mash efficiency: 80%
Batch Size: 20L

Comments
A straight forward brew day with no real hassle. I haven't used Galaxy before so wanted to showcase it with the 1st brew. Named after one of my favourite cartoons when I was younger.
The yeast kicked off within 8 hours and is now chugging away nicely. I'm hoping for a nice big yeast cake so I can use the 3rd generation for a big new years day RIS brew. Having used the WLP090 on my Black IPA it seems to give a nice rapid ferment with a VERY clean profile, so hopefully the galaxy will shine through, with a nice slightly sweet malt character to back it up.

I had the camera out for the brew session, pictures are posted on JBK HERE

Saturday 17 December 2011

January Meet: Guest Speaker Announced

Ladies and gents, we're pleased to announce that for our second meet on Thursday 12th January, Dominic from Thornbridge Brewery will be joining us. In fact, not only will he be throwing himself on the mercy of the group, and hopefully passing polite but constructive criticism on the brews offered up by the attendees, but he will also be giving a short presentation on how to brew barley wine.

Given Dom's CV, having worked at Thornbridge and Marble, and the fact that he's just achieved a Distinction in his Institute of Brewing and Distilling exam, we're expecting nothing less than a night of penetrating analysis and forensic pedantry - in a good way, of course.

We have four people able to bring beer so far - if you'd like to bring something, or just come along and be dazzled by Dom, please can you let us know on this post.

Until the 12th, then. Have a good Christmas, everyone!

Sunday 11 December 2011

January Meet Up: Call For Dates

This is an advance a call for dates for our January meet. Thursday the 12th would be the preferred date, as we have an interesting guest lined up, with an interesting topic in mind, and this is their preferred date. However, if nobody can make it, then there's not a lot of point!

So, shall we shoot for Thursday 12th January, 2012? Similar format to the first meet - 6 people presenting their beers to the group, with the option of bringing along bottles to try after the more structured bit of the night.

Let's have your thoughts!

Also, if anyone has beers that they'd like to bring along to present to the group, let us know below. We'll use the same format as last time - first come first served, but if the number of beers goes beyond 6, we'll draw lots on the night.

Venue TBC.