March Brew and Swap and beyond.

[Caramel Ox]

Bottled my imperial yesterday. Hopefully it was a learning experience, at least it has now gone past needing to think about it.

 

[Agentgonzo]

Well that's really disappointing. I had all the ingredients for my Hoegaarden clone, except the yeast. I ordered a sachet of M21 from ebay as postage was much cheaper than online brew shops. It came through today: BBE 04/2023, ie, in 2 days .

I've contacted the seller, but won't be making that mistake again!

 

[SMP Brewery]

That was the same date as my M21, as I bought it from my local Homebrew shop he gave me 2 for the price of one.

I have just poured a taster of mine as it’s been in the keg 2 weeks now.

 

[Agentgonzo]

That was the same date as my M21, as I bought it from my local Homebrew shop he gave me 2 for the price of one.

I have just poured a taster of mine as it’s been in the keg 2 weeks now.

View attachment 84940

Well that's got me salivating!

Edit. Just got a response from the vendor. They don't have any more in stock, so will give me a full refund.

It's not like the yeast will fail to work at the magical date, but I'll give it a bit of a helping hand and hydrate it and give the wort plenty of aeration

 

[Agentgonzo]

My witbier went into the fermenter on Sunday and the yeast seems to have ripped through it in 24 hours (it got a little warm).

Should be ready in plenty of time for the swap. I just ordered a 25kg sack of Maris Otter from the local brewery so the next batch will be for the summer swap too

 

[Alastair70]

I’m kegging on either Friday or Saturday. I fermented in the conical so I could keep the temp under control, it still went off pretty quick.

 

[Stu's Brews]

I brewed my Bitter on Saturday, fermenting away nicely at the moment.

Not sure if anyone else has gone for a Bitter but if not and people still want to swap then I'm happy to send Bitter and receive Wit in return.

Will hopefully finally get around to brewing my Imperial Stout next weekend...

 

[pilgrimhudd]

I brewed my Bitter on Saturday, fermenting away nicely at the moment.

Not sure if anyone else has gone for a Bitter but if not and people still want to swap then I'm happy to send Bitter and receive Wit in return.

Will hopefully finally get around to brewing my Imperial Stout next weekend...

I've got a bitter, bottled a few weeks ago.

 

[Nottsbeer]

I have a bitter but it's slightly over carbed and a bit bland. Happy to swap something else instead.

 

[Agentgonzo]

I have a bitter but it's slightly over carbed and a bit bland. Happy to swap something else instead.

Well with that description I'm sure people will be queueing up to swap with you

 

[Nottsbeer]

I have a lovely, summer bitter packed with carbonated bubbles, with a sumptuous hint of hops. Who can resist??

 

[Stu's Brews]

I have a lovely, summer bitter packed with carbonated bubbles, with a sumptuous hint of hops. Who can resist??

Anyone else reading this in the M&S food advert voice?

 

[Stu's Brews]

@Alastair70 is it time to start thinking about what the sub-style of Pale Ales will be for the summer swap?

Can you tell I'm getting the itch to plan another brew?

 

[Agentgonzo]

I'm brewing an English golden ale in the next couple of weeks, so I think that golden ale would be the perfect style for a summer swap

 

[Alastair70]

@Alastair70 is it time to start thinking about what the sub-style of Pale Ales will be for the summer swap?

Can you tell I'm getting the itch to plan another brew?

Good point, what’s everybody feeling. We did Cream Ale and Golden Ale last year.
My thoughts off the bat would be a Steam beer, an NZ Pale Ale (I think that comes under commonwealth pale in BJCP guidelines) or something amber coloured (still a pale by definition).

 

[Stu's Brews]

Good point, what’s everybody feeling. We did Cream Ale and Golden Ale last year.
My thoughts off the bat would be a Steam beer, an NZ Pale Ale (I think that comes under commonwealth pale in BJCP guidelines) or something amber coloured (still a pale by definition).

A NZ Pale would be quite interesting as I haven't brewed with NZ hops other than Nelson Sauvin.

Looking at the BJCP guidelines, I'd guess it would probably come under American Pale Ale albeit with NZ hops.

The Brewers Association of America have it listed as it's own style category (below for reference), which has it as a lighter, crisper version of an APA though.

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New Zealand-Style Pale Ale

Color: Straw to medium amber

Clarity: Any of yeast, chill, or hop haze may be present in at low levels but are not essential

Perceived Malt Aroma & Flavor: Very low to medium

Perceived Hop Aroma & Flavor: Medium to medium-high, exhibiting attributes including any of tropical fruit, passionfruit, stone fruit, cut grass, or diesel

Perceived Bitterness: Low to medium-high

Fermentation Characteristics: Low to medium fruity esters are acceptable but not essential.

Body: Medium-low to medium with a dry finish

Additional notes: Overall impression is a well-integrated easy drinking, refreshing pale ale style with distinctive fruity hop aromas and flavors. Diacetyl is absent in these beers. DMS should not be present.

Original Gravity: 1.040-1.052
Final Gravity: 1.006-1.010
ABV: 4.00%-6.00%
Bitterness (IBU): 15-40
Colour (EBC): 6-18

 

[Agentgonzo]

an NZ Pale Ale

I brewed one two months ago and it was so delicious there are only 5 bottles left.

On the up side... A reason to brew it again .

 

[SMP Brewery]

Sounds good to me, never used New Zealand hops.

 

[pilgrimhudd]

Up for whatever, I do a fair few kiwi pales and pilsner but there are tonnes of hopscto choose from.

 

[Alastair70]

Wow, that was quick! Looks like there a lot of for NZ Pale Ale. If there aren’t any other suggestions I’m going the have ring Malt Miller in the morning and tweak yesterdays order.