Brewday 27/04/2017 Another Pale Ale

Yet Another Hoppy Pale Beer

I like dark beers and I like pale beers, last time I brewed a porter so it has to be a pale ale this time.

Recipe (BIAB):

According to my extensive research (several whole minutes online) head retention is aided by carapils malt, so I've used some in this beer.

• Mash for 1 hr at 67°C
• Boil for 60 mins
• Mash water volume 32lt
• Maris Otter 4.3kg
• Carapils 250g
• Crystal malt 150g
• Simcoe 20g (at start)
• Simcoe 30g (15 mins)
• Cascade 30g (at end)
• Simcoe 50g (dry hopped)
• Irish Moss 1 tsp (15 mins)
• Fermentis Safale S04 Yeast 11g pack
• Recipe in Brewers Friend

I am aiming to get 22lt in the fermenter, OG 1.049 and 5% abv - hopefully.

Results:

I must have miscounted when filling the pan and actually used 32lt of water, as I got 25lt in the fermenter and OG 1.046. I expect a final gravity of 1.011 and around 4.6% abv. 

Porter Tasting

First Tasting 

Time to sample the Porter I brewed on March 23rd. 

First impressions: good carbonation, a rich roasty flavour, slightly sweet and very smooth with an almost oily texture. Not as hoppy as I thought it might be, I was expecting a bit more aroma but overall I am very pleased with this. The only downside is very poor head retention. It's not at all flat, if anything it's slightly too fizzy but the head rapidly disappears after pouring. I'm not sure if the oats have made any difference but I think it is definitely a bit smoother than previous brews so I'll put that down to using rolled oats for the first time. 

In conclusion: very drinkable!