Monday, February 10, 2014

Bottle of "Red"

Cold weather be damned, I snuck in a low gravity Irish Red Ale that probably won't make St Patty's day but will be ready before April.
Like Irish Stouts, Irish Ales are sociable session beers with low alcohol, but decent body. As a bow to Ireland's mead making past, I added a touch of honey to boost the gravity a bit, while a small dose of oats adds creaminess to the mouthfeel.

Grist:
6.5 lbs English Maris Otter
.5 lbs Simpsons Caramalt
.25 lbs Golden Naked Oats
.25 lbs Chocolate Malt

Hops;
1oz Cluster 60 min

Adjuncts:
1 lb honey 5 minutes

Yeast:
Wyeast #1084 Irish Ale

Mash in 3 gallons 164 degree water, target 154
Mash out 1 gallon 180 degree water
Sparge 3.3 gallons 185 degree water

I used 4 gallons Vermont well water in this recipe

Target OG 1.045 Actual OG 1.046

Ferment in low 60's for 12 days, 50 degrees for 14 days, bottle 3.10.14

Finished Product 03.26.14: