Brewing Since November

Even though failing the bar kept me from writing on this blog, it didn't keep me from brewing good beer. I have brewed several batches in the past few months, and have stepped up my system to 12 gallons. I also joined a homebrew club, the Greenbelt Brewers Association (greenbeltbrewers.org). Of note, I brewed a Double Red Ale inspired by Green Flash Hop Head Red - that was my first 10 gallon batch and it suffered from a few problems - namely a freak storm that sent hail into the kettle, and the learning curve that went along with it being my first 10 gallon batch. However, the beer turned out great, so here's the recipe:


Thunderstorm Double Red Ale


Wort Volume Before Boil: 14.50 US gals
Wort Volume After Boil: 12.00 US gals
Volume Transferred: 10.00 US gals
Volume At Pitching: 10.00 US gals
Final Batch Volume: 9.50 US gals
Expected Pre-Boil Gravity: 1.057 SG
Expected OG: 1.069 SG
Expected FG: 1.016 SG
Expected ABV: 7.2 %
Expected ABW: 5.6 %
Expected IBU (using Tinseth): 60.3
Expected Color: 14.2 SRM
Apparent Attenuation: 76.5 %
Mash Efficiency: 83.0 %
Boil Duration: 90.0 mins
Fermentation Temperature: 60 degF

Fermentables
UK Pale Ale Malt (Maris Otter) 14lb 0oz (51.6 %) In Mash/Steeped
US 2-Row Malt 10lb 8oz (38.7 %) In Mash/Steeped
UK Medium Crystal (120EBC) 2lb 0oz (7.4 %) In Mash/Steeped
UK Extra Dark Crystal 8.00 oz (1.8 %) In Mash/Steeped
German Carafa Special II 2.00 oz (0.5 %) In Mash/Steeped

Hops
US Amarillo (7.5 % alpha) 50 g Loose Whole Hops used First Wort Hopped
US Columbus(Tomahawk) (12.0 % alpha) 20 g Loose Pellet Hops used All Of Boil
US Cascade (4.5 % alpha) 77 g Loose Whole Hops used 15 Min From End
US Summit (15.8 % alpha) 57 g Bagged Pellet Hops used 10 Min From End
US Cascade (4.5 % alpha) 100 g Loose Whole Hops used 5 Min From End
US Amarillo (10.7 % alpha) 55 g Loose Whole Hops used 5 Min From End
US Cascade (5.7 % alpha) 160 g Loose Whole Hops used At turn off
US Amarillo (10.7 % alpha) 60 g Loose Whole Hops used At turn off
US Amarillo (10.7 % alpha) 50 g Loose Whole Hops used Dry-Hopped
US Summit (15.8 % alpha) 30 g Loose Whole Hops used Dry-Hopped
US Columbus(Tomahawk) (12.0 % alpha) 20 g Loose Pellet Hops used Dry-Hopped

Other Ingredients
Whirlfloc Tablet 1 g used In Boil

Yeast: White Labs WLP001-California Ale

Mash: Single Step Infusion (68C/154F)
Step: Rest at 154 degF for 60 mins


I also brewed my porter once again, albeit slightly modified, and it turned out great. The next time I brew it, though, I will slightly reduce the bittering hops. That recipe is:

Recipe: Grey Skies Porter 2
Style: 12B-Porter-Robust Porter

Recipe Overview

Wort Volume Before Boil: 15.50 US gals
Wort Volume After Boil: 12.00 US gals
Volume Transferred: 11.50 US gals
Water Added: 0.00 US gals
Volume At Pitching: 11.50 US gals
Final Batch Volume: 11.00 US gals
Expected Pre-Boil Gravity: 1.046 SG
Expected OG: 1.060 SG
Expected FG: 1.016 SG
Expected ABV: 5.8 %
Expected ABW: 4.5 %
Expected IBU (using Tinseth): 40.9
Expected Color: 33.4 SRM
Apparent Attenuation: 71.6 %
Mash Efficiency: 83.0 %
Boil Duration: 90.0 mins
Fermentation Temperature: 64 degF

Fermentables
UK Pale Ale Malt (Maris Otter) 17lb 8oz (72.9 %) In Mash/Steeped
UK Pale Chocolate Malt 2lb 0oz (8.3 %) In Mash/Steeped
UK Medium Crystal (120EBC) 2lb 0oz (8.3 %) In Mash/Steeped
German Melanoidin Malt 1lb 0oz (4.2 %) In Mash/Steeped
German Carafa Special II 1lb 0oz (4.2 %) In Mash/Steeped
UK Extra Dark Crystal 8.00 oz (2.1 %) In Mash/Steeped

Hops
US Columbus(Tomahawk) (12.0 % alpha) 60 g Bagged Pellet Hops used 60 Min From End
US Willamette (4.0 % alpha) 30 g Bagged Pellet Hops used 15 Min From End

Yeast: White Labs WLP002-English Ale

Mash Schedule
Mash Type: Full Mash
Schedule Name:Single Step Infusion (68C/154F)
Step: Rest at 154 degF for 60 mins