Upcoming competition 01 December: Dusseldorf Altbier

[Barbara Joppa]

As always, we start off with a huge thanks to Hallertau for allowing us to invade, yet remain such wonderful hosts. The winner of the last style Rauchbier, was Greig. This is the second consecutive win for Greig - very impressive!

Now the next competition will be on Saturday, 24th November***.UPDATE: Change to date due to holiday bookings - now on 01 December at 2PM*** The style is 7C in the BJCP guide: Dusseldorf Altbier. The overall description of this style is: A well balanced, bitter yet malty, clean, smooth, well-attenuated amber coloured German ale.

I will ask for volunteers to judge now. If you do not plan to brew for this competition, and you are interested in judging, please let me know.  Also, to assist me in having enough judging sheets, please let me know if you plan to enter.

See you all soon. Happy brewing.

Style link here: http://www.bjcp.org/2008styles/style07.php

[Barbara Joppa]

Sorry, I forgot to add that the style was chosen by Kelly who took third place. Remember, just $10 to enter. Winner takes all, 3rd place chooses next style.

[Kelly Milligan]

I'm by no means a trained judge, but I love this style! Happy to judge if you're short :)

Thanks again for organizing Barb. 

Cheers,

K

[Greig McGill]

I plan to enter, but if I end up winning this one too I may retire! ;) Looking forward to this, as Dusseldorf Alt seems like such a simple style on paper, but I've never managed to brew one which I thought tasted authentic.

[Tilt]

This is a style I've been itching to brew for a while - great choice Kelly.  Here's a nice article that sheds a bit of light.  The recipe looks pretty sweet to me but useful info otherwise. 

Any ideas on suitable NZ hops for this one... Southern Cross for bittering?  Pacifica?  Hallertau Aroma?

[Greig McGill]

Style guideline suggest that noble hops are pretty much a requirement, so I'd avoid NZ hops. That said, commercial examples I've had have definitely been split between the "no hop aroma at all" and "spicy hallertau/tettnang-esque" aroma notes camps, rather than the floral/perfumy note suggested by the BJCP notes.

[Tilt]

Yeah, I agree, the couple of versions I had (in Dusseldorf but quite a while ago) I faintly remember had more spiciness but less bitterness than the BJCP guidelines suggest.  In hindsight and on reading about the style I'd possibly put that down to Spalt hops which sound quite distinctive. 

Brewing to my own tastes more than the guidlines I reckon Tettnang aroma might be the go.  But cos I'm curious it could be good to do a split boil and try some NZ hops for a laugh.

 

[Raffe]

I probably won't be able to brew for this, but put me on the judges list, if needed. 

[Greig McGill]

Right, brewed. Hit all the numbers. Time will tell if it sucks less than my previous attempts. But still, trash talk ON. YOU MOTHER 'UCKAS READY FOR THREE IN A ROW? NEXT LEVEL, BITCHES!!! *flexes*

;)

[Kelly Milligan]

I'm gonna spike your keg with hop extract.. Westcoast Altbier

[Greig McGill]

Bitch! You would too! ;)

[Scarrfie]

Good to meet those I who were at the last contest, I enjoyed the event even though I didn't have a beer entered. My Alt has been in the fermenter for a week, although the cold snap took my garage down from 15 to 12 degrees so I have had to bring it out into the dining room.Lol. 

I decided to try Spalt hops but mixed it up with a bit of Motueka which i figured has noble breeding :-) Too early to tell how this will finish up.

[Kelly Milligan]

Good stuff mate, did you go with your trusty grist combo again? :)