Friday, August 22, 2014

My first homebrew competition win!

Won my first ribbon! Took 2nd place in the dark ale category at the 2014 Wilson County Fair homebrew competition with my Diver Down Brown Ale. This brown ale is based off of Tasty McDole's Janet's Brown Ale, just slightly tweaked. It's very hop forward and higher gravity for the style.
I've discovered the magic of reusing yeast rather than buying new each time. It saves money and it really does make for a better beer. This one was made using second generation yeast which I think made it so good.



Diver Down Brown Ale:

Batch size: 5.5 gallons
90 minute boil
OG: 1067
ABV: 6.4%
IBU: 36

11 lbs Rahr 2-row
1.15 lbs Carapils
1.15 lbs Carastan (35L)
15 oz. Wheat malt
7 oz.  Chocolate malt (350L)

.6 oz Northern Brewer (10.1% AA) - Mash hop
.7 oz Northern Brewer (10.1% AA) @ 60 mins
.6 oz Northern Brewer (10.1% AA) @ 15 mins
.8 oz Cascade (8.5% AA) @ 10 mins
1.2 oz Cascade (8.5% AA) @ 0 mins
1.8 oz Centennial - dry hop for 13 days

Mash @ 154* for 60 mins
Pitched 150ml of 2nd gen WLP-001 @ 65 degrees
Let rise to 67* and rest for 2 days then gradually let rise to 71* for the next 5 days and dry hop.
After 13 days racked to keg.