Vicar's Brew Mild Ale - 11

owner: Michael Erwin | started: 07/13/2008 | last updated: 08/21/2008
Recipe: | status: Finished

original recipe calls for 6# Alexanders. I'll check to see, but I don't think I can get that locally, and can't mail order in time for brew day.

7/17/2008 - Had two clergy friends over today to show them the brew process. First, we bottled a peach wheat that was ready, then we brewed this simple brew. This will end up being a dark brown but very light beer. Low in alcohol, low in hops, very drinkable. I was hoping for a little more sugar, maybe at 1.036.

OG: 1.031
Exp app atten: 75%
expected FG: 1.008 (really?)
Yeast: WLP001 (from #9 2nd gen, last culture)

7/21/2008 - Racked to secondary. SG:1.010. ABV:2.8%. Less attenuation than expected, but fermentation was done.

7/26/2008 - Concerned about the mild flavor. Dropped in 1oz of Fuggles.

8/21/2008 - FG:1.006, so the lightest beer I've made. I added gelatin about two weeks ago, and WOW that works. Dark and clear. 3.3% ABV, 81% attenuation. I think the late dry-hopping of the Fuggle saved the beer. We'll see after carbonation.

8/31/2008 - A drinkable beer, very light, very malty in the flavor, hops are more of an aftertaste. Dark and clear. Don't make this one again, though.

9/22/2008 - I take it back. This one has matured into a smoother flavor, the hops have balanced the malt out. I still probably won't make it again.