What are you brewing?

[nzbrewer]

Since this is the most popular thread on the RealBeer.co.nz forum I thought I would start it here just to see what happens

[JoKing]

Yeah... I went to both places the other day. Not to sound anal - but the Ales weren't up to scratch. Bellringers was the best in show that day.

[Reviled]

Tiff at Hauraki home brew and Mike at brewers coop have S-05 also...

[jt]

Good grief that's appalling !
I've been using 05 for the last few months after years on liquids and I was just about to start extolling the virtues of dried yeast.

I must say that the one gripe I have about the dried yeast that I've bought is that considering the 2 year shelf life, the NZ stock has been remarkably close to expiry.
Why should we have the dregs of the yeast world ?
Looks like I may move back to liquid.

[Reviled]

Brewed my Roggenbier on saturday with a few spectators :o) Roughly about 50% Rye and it was crazy shit, like oily greasy wort instead of the usual sticky stuff, had a bit of a hard time getting all the wort off of the bag but I got there in the end...

2.1kg Rye
1kg NZ Pale
1.2kg Munich
330g CaraMunich
45g Carafa I
60 : 25g Pacific Hallertau 4.5%
FO : 23g Czech Saaz 2.5%

Fermenting with temp control cos im using WB-06 and I dont want any banana off of it, OG was 1052 on 21 litres, pitched at 15* and fermenting at 17*.. When I took the OG reading the hydrometer slowly slid into place instead of bouncing around like it usually does, this Rye stuff is definately wierd, hope it tastes good :oP lol

[jt]

willyale

95% ADM Pils
5% Medium Crystal
2% Chocolate
10 IBU Super Alpha @ 60
6 IBU Willamette @ 30
4 IBU Willamette @ 15

US-05 ? OG 1.040 FG 1.010 IBU 20

A bit of a light brown session ale (aren't they all ?) Not quite in the Mild category, probably an NZ Daft with some guts
I've found the browns a bit harsh with 05
May even consider Gervin / Notts for a change, but I'd need to up the hops in that case so I don't end up with a malt tonic.

After that I'm looking at a pale coloured beer, say 95% ADM and 2.5% each caramalt and wheat and Willamette
Anyone had good experiences with Willamette late in a pale beer ?

[MrC]

I have, I'd say "go for it" but with a restrained hand at first.

I brewed an American Wheat beer last year, arguably one of the best beers I've brewed. I've never used Willamette only as late additions.

28g 60min Willamette
10g 0min Willamette
10g 0min Cascade
US-05
OG 1.038
23L boil

[jt]

arguably one of the best beers I've brewed

How prominent was the Cascade - given it was just the10gm (in 23 litres ?)
Presumably just a pale & wheat grist ?

(edit* I was contemplating 10 or 12gm Casacde either at power off or dry hop with the light brown)

[Reviled]

Ive used late williamette quite a few times, up to 15g at Flame out in a 20 litre batch, by itself too :o) its a nice hop, earthy, but not as grassy as fuggles.. I like it..

[jt]

Cheers chap

[MrC]

The Cascade was definately prominent. The OG was 1.038 and from memory the FG was 1.0008 so there wasn't anywhere for the hops to hide.

Grist was 60% Wheat, 40% Maris Otter.

It was a very light beer but quite well balanced I thought. ABV approx 3.7%.

NOTE: This beer was brewed back in the days when US-05 was abundant and BB dates where 3-6 months in the future. Alas, no more.

[Reviled]

This american wheat thing? Is it generally more bitter than a Hefe or Witbier?

[jt]

This sounds familiar, I think you've answered questions on the American Wheat before ?

Thanks, I'll certainly go some cascade at power off. Won't have the same effect as in the wheat, with 5% Crystal and 2% Choc but I've done this light brown in various tweaks many times - the bones of it is NZ Hops Irish Red recipe - and I feel like I need to give it a new direction

cheers, jt