Summer pale ale

Appearance:  Light orange, somewhat golden. Some white head with moderate staying power. Some lacing. Slightly hazy (probably should have cold crashed longer).

Aroma:  Fruity aromas. Apricot, mango, and grapefruit prevalent. Very fresh smelling. Sticky sweet aroma possibly due to coalescence of malty and fruity (hoppy) aromas.

Taste:  Very well balanced! Malty up front, that fades to sweet and fruity aftertaste. Smooth throughout. Grapefruit and honey notes distinctly present. The more I drink it, the more the malty flavors come forth and hoppy flavors blend into a general bitterness. It would be nice if those fruity notes could last throughout the entire glass (next time I will replace Warrior hops with Citra - maybe that will help).

Mouthfeel:  Medium body. Medium-low cabonation. Might benefit from a bit more carbonation. Easy drinking. I could polish off quite a few of these in one sitting.

Recipe Name:         Summer pale ale

Recipe Volume:      5 gallons

Yeast:                     White Labs WLP001 American Ale

Malts:	Amount
1. 2-row malt	7 lbs.
2. 6-row malt	1 lb.
3. Honey malt	8 oz.
4. Acid malt	2 oz.

Brewhouse Efficiency            70%
Calculated Original Gravity            1.045
Caclulated Boil Gravity                   1.036
Measured Original Gravity             1.044
Measured Final Gravity             1.009

Hops:	Amount	Boil Time	IBUs
1. Warrior (15.7%)	0.25 oz.	20	9
2. Cascade (6.3%)	0.5 oz.	15	6
3. Summer (5.8%)	0.5 oz.	15	6
4. Cascade (6.3%)	0.5 oz.	5	2
5. Summer (5.8%)	0.5 oz.	5	2
6. Summer (5.8%)	0.5 oz.	0	0
7. Summer (5.8%)	0.5 oz.	Dry hop
8. Warrior (15.7%)	0.5 oz.	Dry hop

Calculated IBUs          26

Grapefruit pale ale

It's been a while since I have put up a post on this blog. I have been very busy with some other things in my life. I have still been brewing, but just haven't had time to organize everything into a post. Hopefully more will be on the way. I am getting into brewing sour beers now though, so it might be a little while. Anyway, here are my thoughts on the grapefruit ale that I finished about a month ago.

Appearance:  Amber to golden brown color. Very little head that dissipates quickly leaving behind little lacing. I would like more staying power - might want to add some Carapils next time around.

Aroma:  Lots of grapefruit! Sticky sweet aroma. All fruit, I can't smell any distinct hop character or maltiness.

Taste:  Very heavy on the citrus. I can't tell if this aspect is coming mostly from the hops or from the juice I added. I think both in relatively equal proportions. Neutral malt backbone. No apparent off flavors.

Mouthfeel:  Medium-low carbonation. No effervesence. Clean finish.

Overall:  I am very proud of this one. I feel like I got exactly what I was gunning for.


Recipe Name:         Grapefruit Pale Ale

Recipe Volume:      5 gallons

Yeast:                     White Labs WLP060 American Ale Blend

Malts:	Amount
1. 2-row malt	7.5 lbs.
2. 6-row malt	1 lb.
3. Crystal 60	0.5 lb.
4. Munich malt	0.5 lb.
5. Vienna malt	0.5 lb.
6. Acid malt	0.25 lb.

Brewhouse Efficiency                      70%
Calculated Original Gravity            1.058
Caclulated Boil Gravity                   1.046
Measured Boil Gravity                    1.053

Hops/Additives:	Amount	Boil Time	IBUs
1. Chinook (12%)	0.5 oz.	60	21
2. Cascade (7%)	1 oz.	30	19
3. Amarillo (9.3%)	0.5 oz.	0	0
4. Cascade (7%)	0.5 oz.	0	0
5. Grapefruit juice	from 6 grapefruits	0	0
6. Amarillo (9.3%)	0.5 oz.	Dry hop (1 week)	0
7. Cascade (7%)	0.5 oz.	Dry hop (1 week)	0
8. Grapefruit zest	from 3 grapefruits	Dry hop (1 week)	0

Calculated IBUs          40