Bayou Beer

All about beer brewing and drinking in South Louisiana.

Blonde Ale Before Halloween

October 14th, 2016

Trying to brew a simple blonde ale before Halloween because my wife decided to throw a party. Super simple based on Jamils but with Centennial because she likes Centennial.

Update 10/16/2016
Brew day went great. Beer looks beautiful and was fermenting well in less than 24 hours. I love just pitches 2 packs of Safale 04 since it’s a great yeast count and far less expensive than liquid yeast or starters. I did end up adding about a half pound of pilsner dry malt extract due to low efficiency. I tried out a thinner mash and went a little fast. It dropped efficiency.

Update 10/24/2016
Fermentation went extremely fast. Done in 2 days so left it on the yeast for 4 before crashing and fining with gelatin. Racked over on 21st and it was crystal clear. Started carbonating at 30 PSI for 3 days. It has a subtle hop fruitiness to it and just a slight honey sweetness. Should be a great beer for Michelle’s Halloween party where a bunch of non-craft drinkers will want to try something.

Update 11/2/2016
This ended up being a nice, refreshing beer. Everyone enjoyed it. Would brew again. Wouldn’t mind serving it with a few bottles of fruit lambic on the side to mix with it. Or just drink it tailgating.

Recipe Details

Batch Size Boil Time IBU SRM Est. OG Est. FG ABV
5.5 gal 60 min 17.0 IBUs 3.6 SRM 1.044 1.010 4.4 %

Style Details

Name Cat. OG Range FG Range IBU SRM Carb ABV
Blonde Ale 6 B 1.038 - 1.054 1.008 - 1.013 15 - 28 3 - 6 2.4 - 2.8 3.8 - 5.5 %

Fermentables

Name Amount %
Pale Malt (2 Row) US 9 lbs 94.74
Caramel Malt - 10L (Briess) 8 oz 5.26

Hops

Name Amount Time Use Form Alpha %
Centennial 0.5 oz 60 min Boil Pellet 10

Miscs

Name Amount Time Use Type
Calcium Chloride 8.00 g 60 min Mash Water Agent
Lactic Acid 8.00 ml 60 min Mash Water Agent

Yeast

Name Lab Attenuation Temperature
SafAle English Ale (S-04) DCL/Fermentis 73% 59°F - 75.2°F

Mash

Step Temperature Time
Mash In 150°F 75 min

Bayou Beer

All about beer brewing and drinking in South Louisiana.

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