483 replies to this topic

[No Party JKor]

Took the gravity today, it's at 1.015. I'll probably drop the yeast this weekend. I like the flavor a lot, it's got a great malt note and it's well balanced by the hops. I can't wait to get this one cold and bubbly.

[Big Nake]

Took the gravity today, it's at 1.015. I'll probably drop the yeast this weekend. I like the flavor a lot, it's got a great malt note and it's well balanced by the hops. I can't wait to get this one cold and bubbly.

Rcemech has a thread in the BEER section where it's mentioned that the beer came up a little sweet. Some of his bottles weren't fully carbed which could be part of it. It also appears that his 1056 may have stopped before all of the primary fermentation was complete. I mentioned over there that although this recipe is simple, you still have to have everything go well with primary so the beer isn't underattenuated. I always keg my beers and I get the keg cold & force carb at 30psi for 48 hours and get a good balanced beer. Low carb may make the beer too sweet as would low attenuation and a high mash temp. Make sure that primary is done and you should be good to go. Depending on your yeast & mash temp, you should be able to get the beer down to about 1.012. I'm currently drinking a batch of this I made with US05 and the balance is right on. Cheers & I hope you enjoy it.

[No Party JKor]

I'm going to wait a few more days to see where the gravity goes. It's been coming down slowly the whole ferment, so I may be able to squeeze a few more points out of her. It may be a little on the sweet side. Just barely if it is.

[ThroatwobblerMangrove]

I'm going to wait a few more days to see where the gravity goes. It's been coming down slowly the whole ferment, so I may be able to squeeze a few more points out of her. It may be a little on the sweet side. Just barely if it is.

I got it down to 1.009 without doing anything special other than that I probably pitch more 1056 than is needed. How many days into primary are you at this point? I usually leave my beers for at least 2 weeks in primary.

[HVB]

I am sadden to say mine did not come out good. Operator error I am sure. I think it had to do with my yeast starter. Just does not taste the way I expected it should and had a bad aroma. I am planning on trying this one again this weekend to replace the one I will dump. Might just mash a bit higher and use S-05 this time or split the batch between 2 different yeasts.

[ncbeerbrewer]

When I brewed my version of Ken's recipe I used US-05. I have used that yeast many times this year. If you have temp control 68 degrees really keeps US-05 rocking strong and you should get the FG you want. I used it on two Imperials 1.080+ a Dry Stout, and a Pale ale. Highest final gravity was 1.014 and for the MLPA mine came down to 1.012. I am thinking I am going to brew this beer again and use another single hop instead of Mt Hood and see how that turns out.

[Big Nake]

Good stuff guys. Drez77, sorry yours didn't come out well. I suppose there are a multitude of things that can go wrong and I supppose that everyone is dealing with their own variables whether it's yeast strain, water, primary temps, etc. I usually ferment this beer cooler (between 62 and 65°) and try to get the White Labs 01 to finish up. I am careful not to mash too high because the balance may be off and this beer doesn't give you a lot of latitude there. But I have made this beer 15-20 times so I guess I've been around the block with this particular recipe. It's very nice when it comes out right. Cheers & Happy Friday.

[ThroatwobblerMangrove]

Good stuff guys. Drez77, sorry yours didn't come out well. I suppose there are a multitude of things that can go wrong and I supppose that everyone is dealing with their own variables whether it's yeast strain, water, primary temps, etc. I usually ferment this beer cooler (between 62 and 65°) and try to get the White Labs 01 to finish up. I am careful not to mash too high because the balance may be off and this beer doesn't give you a lot of latitude there. But I have made this beer 15-20 times so I guess I've been around the block with this particular recipe. It's very nice when it comes out right. Cheers & Happy Friday.

I also like the low temp fermentations.

[HVB]

Good stuff guys. Drez77, sorry yours didn't come out well. I suppose there are a multitude of things that can go wrong and I supppose that everyone is dealing with their own variables whether it's yeast strain, water, primary temps, etc. I usually ferment this beer cooler (between 62 and 65°) and try to get the White Labs 01 to finish up. I am careful not to mash too high because the balance may be off and this beer doesn't give you a lot of latitude there. But I have made this beer 15-20 times so I guess I've been around the block with this particular recipe. It's very nice when it comes out right. Cheers & Happy Friday.

Ken, I am sure there are many things that could have gone wrong. I fermented this at 62 and mashed right at 153-154. I have a HERMS so the mash temperatures are pretty spot on. That is why I am saying the yeast is the most likely culprit. I just know the beer I have is not the beer you designed and want to try it again and make sure I have the beer your recipe should make. Oh well .. chock this one up to experience. Hate to dump a keg but also hate to have one taking up space knowing that I will not enjoy it.

[Big Nake]

Hate to dump a keg but also hate to have one taking up space knowing that I will not enjoy it.

I have to agree. Dumping out a batch when I was a new brewer literally made me sick to my stomach... I'm dumping out BEER!... but eventually you understand that bad batches will happen and it's not like the beer is going to improve. It's not. Get rid of it and make room for something delicious and move forward. Good luck when you make this beer the next time. Cheers.

[No Party JKor]

I got it down to 1.009 without doing anything special other than that I probably pitch more 1056 than is needed. How many days into primary are you at this point? I usually leave my beers for at least 2 weeks in primary.

I was at 10 days when I took the reading. If it doesn't drop anymore by Saturday, I'll rouse the yeast.

[No Party JKor]

It's at 1.011 today, and it tastes niiiiice.

[Big Nake]

Good news that the yeast got down on that beer... should be a good one.I should also mention that anyone using whole or leaf hops should probably bump up their AAUs a little. I always use pellets and I seem to get better hop utilization with them than I do with leaf hops. I'd go closer to 6 AAUs with leaf/whole hops. Cheers guys!

[No Party JKor]

The sample was so good I think I may just start drinking it right now.

[Big Nake]

The sample was so good I think I may just start drinking it right now.

Whoo-Hoo! MLPA party at JKoravos's place! Cheers Amigo... enjoy it.

[HVB]

These last post me make me cry .... I wish mine had come out. UGH .. well Just have to try her again

[Big Nake]

These last post me make me cry .... I wish mine had come out. UGH .. well Just have to try her again

Don't cry. Eventually, everyone will make something that they're not happy with. This recipe makes a great beer that many (but not all...) people will enjoy. But it does appear that there are a number of things to consider about the beer that I didn't realize could cause problems. Don't mash too high, don't underhop the beer, make sure it's not underattenuated, keep the fermentation temps low, etc. At some point there will be an MLPA party at the Drez Biergarten and life will be good. Cheers!

[No Party JKor]

It finished out at ~1.009-1.010 with WLP001. It's tasting mighty good. It's definitely more bitter than I was expecting due to my conservative hop loss estimates. I'll back down my IBUs a bit next time around. It'll hit the keg tonight and into the new chest freezer...woo hoo!

Edited by JKoravos, 14 June 2009 - 01:07 PM.

[Daryl]

I am down to my last few bottles of this. I am about to do a run of lagers so it will beawhile before I can make another batch. This beer seemed to continue imporving with age.

[Big Nake]

It finished out at ~1.009-1.010 with WLP001. It's tasting mighty good. It's definitely more bitter than I was expecting due to my conservative hop loss estimates. I'll back down my IBUs a bit next time around. It'll hit the keg tonight and into the new chest freezer...woo hoo!

You know that this beer is not necessarily going to satisfy the big hopheads, but that 5.5 AAU of Mt. Hood seems to go a long way in this beer. I really like what the Mt. Hoods do and the flavor they produce... that, mixed with the WLP001 makes a great combination. I hope it comes out well.

I am down to my last few bottles of this. I am about to do a run of lagers so it will beawhile before I can make another batch. This beer seemed to continue imporving with age.

I agree. My last keg of it blew a few days ago and I will make it again later in the summer. What lagers are you making? I just got done with 6 (count 'em... 6) beers with WLP940 and I'm mashing right now on a "gold lager" with 2124 and then an Oktober is next with that yeast. Cheers!