13 replies to this topic

[jayb151]

Hey everyone,I was wondering about something. I want to make an English Bitter soon. I have purchased a 50lb sack of American Two row for my last, and next batch (Northern Brown and Holiday spice beer respectively) because It is way cheaper than a sack of MO. I know an English Pale Malt is much better to use but I’m a broke college kid trying to make good beer. My question is: What malt would you add to my 2-row to try and recreate an English flavor. I was thinking about trying about .5 lbs per 5 gal of either a biscuit or aromatic. What other recommendations does the Board have to recreate an English style with Specialty malts?Thanks,JayB

[Big Nake]

When I make a beer like this, I like to keep it simple and relatively authentic. I like to use British Crystal 55°L (sometimes called 50-60) and some amount of torrified wheat for mouthfeel and head stability. I will almost always use some sort of UK pale malt, but I think it would be fine to use American 2-row along with british hops like Kent, Fuggle, First Gold and even Styrian Golding. I would also highly recommend one of the great liquid yeast strains of the UK persuasion like 1028, 1099, 1968 or White Labs 023 Burton. If you did all of that, I think you might be able to slide on the 2-row. Purists be damned! Seriously, you'll make a good beer this way. Cheers!Ps. Check out my site (link below) and look at the recipe for Aviator's English Ale.

[MtnBrewer]

Ps. Check out my site (link below) and look at the recipe for Aviator's English Ale.

I can vouch for this recipe. I made it earlier this year and liked it a lot. In fact, I should be brewing it again soon.

[jayb151]

Check out my site (link below) and look at the recipe for Aviator's English Ale.

Ken, It's funny you say that because the recipe I came up with is about the same. I was going to use:.5 lbs British crystal1lbs wheat maltand enough base to get to 1.047.I also was going to use similar hops, but I have to see whats in stock at the Brew & Grow. I was also thinking of trying Wyeast London Ale III since I have never used it and this would be a good beer to recollect the yeast from.Do you(anyone) think there would be a big difference between using Torrified wheat and wheat malt, and if so how would you describe the difference? I'm thinking Wheat malt would just aid in head retention while Torrified wheat would aid head and mouthfeel.

[Big Nake]

IIRC, my recipe (a lot of English Ale recipe, actually) only calls for about 4 oz of Torrified Wheat in a 5-gal recipe. I haven't subbed out for regular wheat, but I can't imagine it would make a HUGE difference. I will buy 1 lb bags of Torrified wheat and I can get 4 batches of English ale out of it.Hey... are you talking about the Brew & Grow on Besly Court? I noticed (last time I was there) that the "brew" section os shrinking and the "grow" section was growing. Cheers!

[MtnBrewer]

When I brewed it I realized that I was out of torrefied wheat and I used malted rye instead. I don't think it makes a huge difference. I think it's mostly for head retention anyway since British grains tend to be lower in protein.

[Big Nake]

Here's a shot of the color with 14oz of British 55°L in there...

[VolFan]

I've never had a lot of luck finding British 55L and have always subbed 60L. Where are you guys finding it at?

[MtnBrewer]

I've never had a lot of luck finding British 55L and have always subbed 60L. Where are you guys finding it at?

It's the same thing. Most malts have a variation of 5-10°L anyway so 5° isn't going to make an appreciable difference. What you're looking for is British medium crystal (or caramel).

[jayb151]

Hey... are you talking about the Brew & Grow on Besly Court? I noticed (last time I was there) that the "brew" section os shrinking and the "grow" section was growing. Cheers!

Sweet, I think I'm going to go with the wheat malt then, just because I already have some on hand. That means, all I have to buy is the yeast and the hops. The color looks real good in that shot, and I can see that you Ken-ed it! I was actually talking about the Brew & Grow in Roselle on Irving. It's a sweet 5 minute drive from where I brew (my Girlfriend's place), and on saturdays we usually get together and have a tasting session. It's real laid back, about 3 guys plus the brewer there. Unfortunatly I can't make it this week cause I'll be brewing! Oh, I really haven't noticed a decrease in the brewing stuff, but I have noticed a large increase in the growing supplies. They even give out free compost tea! Great to sprinkle on my hops! It's always funny to see the people buy growing supplies because you know they're growing...tomatoes!

[Slainte]

Here's a shot of the color with 14oz of British 55°L in there...

Looks skunked. :blush:Anyways, the Maris Otter is the best way to go, but the American 2-row + specialty grains route can kinda fake it if you really can't afford to spend a couple extra bucks. But to me it's worth it to get 5 gallons of significantly better beer.

[Big Nake]

I was actually talking about the Brew & Grow in Roselle on Irving.

Oh yeah, that's the Brew & Grow I hit when I'm in the neighborhood. I live in Buffalo Grove and I have work in Elgin and some other spots that are close to that store. Yeah, it's funny because I'm standing there in khaki shorts with a Cubs hat on with my grain, hops and credit card in hard... meanwhile the guy with the tie-dyed Dead shirt on has his fertilizer, grow lamp and a stack of hundreds. Anyway, the 55°L could easily be subbed with 60°L with no problem. When I'm ordering online from a place that has a wide selection, 55°L is readily available. Cheers.

[MAZ]

Oh yeah, that's the Brew & Grow I hit when I'm in the neighborhood.

FYI Ken & Jayb... B&G will be moving to a new building in a few months. 3600 block of Kedzie. Was just picking up some dark Munich malt and some hops today :-)

[jayb151]

FYI Ken & Jayb... B&G will be moving to a new building in a few months. 3600 block of Kedzie. Was just picking up some dark Munich malt and some hops today :-)

Oh, you're talking about the Chicago store right? I only ever go to the Roselle store, or Elhurst Winemakers, but B&G is my "homebase."