Homebrew Beer Blog

I brewed up few attempts at an English Summer Ale. It's kind of an odd-ball style that's not well represented. I set out to make something crisp and refreshing, but still malty and English. This one turned out very nice. It's fruity and malty with some good hop aroma and flavor. It's almost a bit of a sensory contradiction as the nose is malty and hoppy, but the flavor is light, crisp and mild bitterness.

The FG went all the way down to 1.008, which means 83% attenuation with WLP002. I like the Crystal kicker hop addition to give it something different and goes well with the yeast.

English Summer Ale

Batch Size (Gal): 6.50 Wort Size (Gal): 6.50
Total Grain (Lbs): 10.00
Anticipated OG: 1.048 Plato: 11.845
Anticipated SRM: 7.4
Anticipated IBU: 30.8
Brewhouse Efficiency: 80 %
Wort Boil Time: 65 Minutes

Grain/Extract/Sugar

% Amount Name Origin Potential SRM
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77.5 7.75 lbs. Maris Otter Great Britain 1.037 3
10.0 1.00 lbs. Cane Sugar Generic 1.046 0
5.0 0.50 lbs. Aromatic Malt Belgium 1.036 25
5.0 0.50 lbs. Crystal 40L America 1.034 40
2.5 0.25 lbs. Special Roast Malt America 1.033 40

Potential represented as SG per pound per gallon.

Hops

Amount Name Form Alpha IBU Boil Time
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1.50 oz. Goldings - USA Whole 5.20 23.4 60 min.
0.50 oz. Goldings - USA Whole 5.20 4.7 20 min.
0.50 oz. Crystal Whole 4.40 2.4 10 min.
0.50 oz. Goldings - USA Whole 5.20 0.3 1 min.

Extras

Amount Name Type Time
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1.00 Unit(s)Whirlfloc Fining 10 Min.(boil)

Yeast
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White Labs WLP002 English Ale