Beer for the missus!

[Ceejay]

I set myself a challenge to create a beer for my beloved girlfriend, since she has to put up with all this brewing lark. Problem is, she, and I quote, likes "those cheap beers in stubby bottles".... :shock: :lol:

So I thought I'd create a recipe that would mean she gets to drink better quality beer but with the following characteristics:

Low IBU and no massive hop aromas
Pale
No "funky flavours"
Refreshing

So, this is what I came up with:

http://www.thehomebrewforum.co.uk/recipeview.php?recipe_id=886

Anita's Blonde Ale. It's a play on words becasue Anita is blonde and this is Anita's blonde ale :geek:

19l brewlength
3200g Maris Otter
50g Crystal Malt
20g Willamette 90 mins
10g Willamette first wort
10g Willamette lights out
Safale US-05

Expected OG 1039
Expected FG 1010
SRM 6.7
IBU 16.1

What do you reckon? The US-05 should make it nice and clean and the Willamette are my new favourite hop that should impart a nice delicate flavour.

 

[Dieseljockey]

Go for it Ceejay...what a great present..never done a light ale...but had a couple of pints of Marstons EPA a few weeks back..Brill..so got me thinking about an EPA or IPA...keep us informed if you brew this one..may be just the thing on a summers day :pray:

 

[Aleman]

Add some sugar or rice which will act as a flavour and body dilutant

Say 10%

And replace the crystal malt with some Carapils . . .keep it blonde but give it a bit of sweetness.

 

[Ceejay]

Thanks AM, sugar should keep the cost down as well, I guess! Definitely a good idea with the carapils - that's exactly what I wanted to acheive with the crystal malt - a bit of sweetnes but it looks like carapils will work way better. I hadnt even considered it! :thumb:

Q: is 50g of Cara Pils going to be enough?

DJ - I'm hoping this might provide the basis for a lovely summer thirst quencher, served nice and cool without me having to go into lagering etc as I don't really have the means.

 

[Aleman]

Q: is 50g of Cara Pils going to be enough?

If it was me in that style of beer I'd probably go for somewhere in the region of 250-300g

 

[Ceejay]

Right-o! Cheers for the help again

 

[markp]

16.1 IBU :lol:
What are you doing....just waving the hops at the boiler?? :rofl:

Seriously, I understand where you are comming from on this.
Amarillo hops provide great tasting, smooth bitterness and would be a good alternative to Willamette.
Lager malt + a splash of wheat malt and whatever hop shcedule you fancy is also a very nice recipe that I like to use. Ferment with an ale yeast :)

Have a great brew day!

 

[Ceejay]

16.1 IBU :lol:
What are you doing....just waving the hops at the boiler?? :rofl:

Lol! What, is that low?! :whistle: :lol: Seriously though, I'll probably tweak it up a bit, but she really doesn't like hoppy beer. Maybe I'll throw half the aroma hops in the boiler instead to up it to about 20 ish.

The style only ranges from 15 to 27 ish http://www.brewersfriend.com/2009/01/24/beer-styles-ibu-chart-graph-bitterness-range/

 

[robsan77]

16.1 IBU :lol:
What are you doing....just waving the hops at the boiler?? :rofl:

Lol! What, is that low?! :whistle: :lol: Seriously though, I'll probably tweak it up a bit, but she really doesn't like hoppy beer. Maybe I'll throw half the aroma hops in the boiler instead to up it to about 20 ish.

The style only ranges from 15 to 27 ish http://www.brewersfriend.com/2009/01/24/beer-styles-ibu-chart-graph-bitterness-range/

maybe just put all the hops in as first wort. That way you'll get a lovely aroma and a softer bitterness without too much hop in th emouth

 

[Ceejay]

....genius! :

 

[Aleman]

Good luck with brewing this. These beers at the low end of the style guidelines are some of the trickiest to brew. . . . Any one can brew a reasonable attempt at a 5% malt/hop monster, but to brew a tasteful delicate beer takes real skill :clap: :clap: :clap:

 

[rickthebrew]

Sounds lovely ceejay :thumb: :thumb: When you try the hefewiessen that i`m gonna drop around it may well be a hit with your girlfriend, low bitterness and aroma - great banana notes from the yeast and very very refreshing and drinkable, ready to drink as soon as carbonated aswell - bonus

Will PM you :thumb:

 

[Ceejay]

Sounds delicious Rich : Can't wait!

I'm really looking forward to brewing this one now. It'll be good to put all I've learned on here to the test and see if I can brew a decent, crystal clear, clean tasting blonde ale. Lower sparge liquor temperature and a sleeping bag around the mash tun should see me right :thumb: