Batch 5: 'Merican IPA: Brewing Day

Here was the program:

1. Boil 4 gallons of water the day before, and set aside to cool overnight.
2. Steep 10 oz. of CaraPils in 3 gallons of water for 30 min. at 160º ±10º.
3. Add 3.3 lb. of pale LME, and stir till dissolved.
4. Bring to boil until break (approx. 20 minutes).
5. Hop.
1. 0.7 oz. Centennial hops T-60 min.
2. 0.7 oz. Centennial hops T-45 min.
3. 0.7 oz. Centennial hops T-30 min.
4. 0.7 oz. Centennial hops T-15 min.
5. 0.7 oz. Centennial hops 0 min. for 10 minutes off heat
6. Add 6.6 lb. of pale LME at knockout, and let stand for 10 minutes.
7. Chill wort with ice bath and soda bottles to below 70º.
8. Add wort to pail, and top off with cooled boiled water to just over 5 gallon-mark (or approx. 3 inches from top of pail).
9. Measure original gravity.
10. Pitch Wyeast American Ale II Yeast (#2772).
11. Aerate the wort by pouring back and forth between sanitized pails.

The original gravity ended up being 1.074, a bit higher than expected. I accidentally steeped the specialty grains too hot (170º+). I'm hoping that doesn't add any off flavors.

I'll be dry hopping an additional 0.7 oz. of hops at secondary fermentation.

Batch 5: 'Merican IPA: Ingredients

I'm giving this recipe another try. Here's what I got:

• 9.9 lb. – Pale liquid extract ($34.47)
• 10 oz. – CaraPils grains ($0.89)
• 4 oz. – Centennial hops ($5.96)
• 2 packets – Wyeast American Ale II Yeast (#1272) ($14.98)
• 1 – muslin bag ($0.69)
• 4 oz. – corn sugar ($0.29)

The total cost after tax was $61.22. I'm altering a few things from the first go around. First, I'm doubling the yeast since it didn't seem to fully attenuate the first time. (I'm still not ready to try a yeast starter.) Second, I'll be allowing the primary fermentation to go a bit longer. Finally, I'll be doing a secondary fermentation.

Batch 4: Steamboat California Common Beer: Tasting Day

Very late on this post. This beer turned out fairly good. It was much more hoppy than I had expected, not nearly as balanced as the Anchor Steam. It seemed much closer to a traditional pale ale. It is amazing how noticeable the lager yeast character was in the aroma and the front end of the taste. Next time, I will likely add a bit more maltodextrin and try a different hop variety.

My dad enjoying a Steamboat at his new retirement property

My mom