15 Year Anniversary Amber Ale
Brewed: 1/9/2011 Kegged: 1/23/2011
As of September 2, 2010, the beer model and I have been married 15 years. After reading the 15th anniversary issue of BYO magazine (yes, coincidentally, BYO started the same year we got married), I thought it would be nice to make a little celebration ale to help mark the occasion. Of course, I did not think of copying this concept in enough time to have the beer ready for our anniversary, so the first brew day was the weekend before the actual anniversary day.As 15 is the "Crystal Anniversary", the recipe has a fair amount of different types of crystal malts. My wife tells me that she doesn't like dark beers, so I kept it somewhat light colored, and did not use anything darker than Crystal 60. Since the beer model likes Buckwheat's BPA, I added in some biscuit malt and a bit of Munich malt. I also added in some Crystal Hops at flame out to continue the crystal theme of the brew.
The beer model and I made this on the weekend before our anniversary. Here is the blog entry of the brewing day. The beer was very enjoyable and I decided to do my second Sheppy Brew double batch with this recipe. The small batch just disappeared too quickly.
I enjoy the flavors of this beer very much (have I ever met an Amber ale that I didn't like?) The beer model likes it too. Originally, I thought it might lean a bit too much to the bitter flavor profile for the Beer Model, but actually seems to be pretty balanced. It is very similar to Buckwheat's BPA, but it seems just a bit more flowery in the aroma and it is not as sweet. The beer itself might be described as a combination of an American amber with more of a German Pilsner hop aroma. It seems to peak at about 2 or 3 months in the bottle.
| 15 Year Anniversary Amber Ale (AG) batch 2 --- cost $23.16 |
| Style | American Amber Ale | Batch Size | 5.00 gal | |||
| Type | All Grain | Boil Size | 6.31 gal |
Recipe Characteristics
| Recipe Gravity | 1.051 SG | Estimated FG | 1.013 SG | ||||
| Recipe Bitterness | 31.8 IBU (Rager) | Alcohol by Volume | 4.99 % | ||||
| BU : GU | 0.622 | ||||||
| Recipe Color | 10.1 SRM |
|
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| Measured OG: | 1.051 (Rutt); 1.055 (Tuke) |
Measured FG: | 1.009 | ||||
| ADF: | 83% | Measured ABV: | 5.74 |
Ingredients
| Amount | Item | Type | % or IBU |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 lbs 4.0 oz | Pale Malt (2 Row) US (2.0 SRM) | Grain | 76.72 % |
| 7.0 oz | Biscuit Malt (23.0 SRM) | Grain | 4.66 % |
| 7.0 oz | Caramel/Crystal Malt - 20L (20.0 SRM) | Grain | 4.66 % |
| 7.0 oz | Caramel/Crystal Malt - 40L (40.0 SRM) | Grain | 4.66 % |
| 7.0 oz | Caramel/Crystal Malt - 60L (60.0 SRM) | Grain | 4.66 % |
| 7.0 oz | Munich Malt (9.0 SRM) | Grain | 4.66 % |
| 0.50 oz | Columbus [14.20 %] (60 min) | Hops | 31.8 IBU |
| 2.00 oz | Crystal [3.50 %] (0 min) | Hops | - |
| 0.52 tsp | Irish Moss (Boil 15.0 min) | Misc | |
| 0.52 tsp | Yeast Nutrient (Boil 10.0 min) | Misc | |
| 1 Pkgs | American Ale II (Harvested) (Wyeast Labs #1272) [Starter 125 ml] [Cultured] | Yeast-Ale |
Mash Profile
| Step Time | Name | Description | Step Temp |
|---|---|---|---|
| 75 min | Mash In | Add 11.81 qt of water at 161.4 F | 150.0 F |
Batch Sparge Round 1: Sparge with 0.37 gal of 168.0 F water
Batch Sparge Round 2: Sparge with 2.19 gal of 168.0 F water
Batch Sparge Round 3: Sparge with 2.19 gal of 168.0 F water
Recipe Notes
Make starter 2 days in advance.
Cool to as close to 60 as possible. Control temperature for 2 days and then let it rise in the cooler for another 2 or so. Then, take out of cooler and let it finish up.
Batch prime with 2.25oz table sugar.
Harvest yeast to use in other batches.
Brewing Notes
1/9/2011 I really like the design layout of your site, it's awesome. The recipes look like the makings of some fine ales, I've used the Munich in several recipes myself and have been curious to include the Biscuit to taste its impact as well. Someday I'd like to pick your brain on the yeast harvesting, mainly how you do it, I'm racking 5 batches to secondaries this weekend and it's killing me to keep tossing out the yeast.
1/9/2011 Brewed everything up and split into two Mr. Beer fermenters. Got 1.051 in one and 1.055 in the other because I had to do some filling with water to get to the right volume, and probably didn't evenly distribute. I really need to get a full 5 gallon fermenter. I also need to look at increasing my boil evaporation rate so that I don't end up having to fill.
1/14/2011 Took the fermenters out of the coolers last night. The 1.055 took off and finished quicker than the 1.051. Temps got up to about 70. Not too bad.
1/23/2011 First time using my bottling bucket. Went ok I guess, but probably could have gone smoother. Got 33 12 oz bottles; 4 liter bottles and one 1/2 gallon growler. Sample tasted great.
1/29/2011 Had one of the old batch. Really good still. I'm glad I have that 2nd batch coming right behind it.
2/4/2011 Not even done with the standard 2 weeks carb, but decided to put a few in the fridge so that I will have the option to drink while watching the Superbowl.
2/13/2011 Had the LB. Really like this beer.
2/19/2011 It is somewhat interesting to me that the beer model seems to like this. It is a great beer, but it does have a significant hop aroma flavor and bitterness, and she is not a hop-head. The biscuit plays real nice with a nutty ester from the yeast. The floral flavor from the crystall and the hop bitterness just add a real nice finishing touch. I am pretty sure that I have never had a beer style quite like this.
2/25/2011 I just started doing Partial mash 5 gallons and was looking to stock up on some recipes for Mr.Beer sized batches. Im glad I stumbled upon your site. Looks pretty good. I wish I knew how to build a website about my brewing
2/26/2011 Clearcut America: Hey, thanks for stopping by. I don't know if you'll see get this comment. I need to program some sort of email subscription for the comments. The easiest way to do a website is to start a blog. If you send me an email (use the <a href="/EmailForm.aspx">Contact Us form</a>), I can give you some advice on starting out.
3/25/2011 Had a liter with tacos. Really a great beer. I am glad we had a big batch, because with both the beer model and me drinking it, it does not last long.
4/21/2011 Had a completely flat one. No carbonation. Threw out the bottle.
5/27/2011 Bringing my growler of this camping. Can't wait!
5/30/2011 Drank up that growler. Still wonderful beer (even in those little plastic camping cups). Not as hoppy as it was younger. The weaker hops give the malt character an opportunity to come through. Very nice.
7/19/2011 Sadly, just about gone. Just one left.
1/9/2011 I really like the design layout of your site, it's awesome. The recipes look like the makings of some fine ales, I've used the Munich in several recipes myself and have been curious to include the Biscuit to taste its impact as well. Someday I'd like to pick your brain on the yeast harvesting, mainly how you do it, I'm racking 5 batches to secondaries this weekend and it's killing me to keep tossing out the yeast.
1/9/2011 Brewed everything up and split into two Mr. Beer fermenters. Got 1.051 in one and 1.055 in the other because I had to do some filling with water to get to the right volume, and probably didn't evenly distribute. I really need to get a full 5 gallon fermenter. I also need to look at increasing my boil evaporation rate so that I don't end up having to fill.
1/14/2011 Took the fermenters out of the coolers last night. The 1.055 took off and finished quicker than the 1.051. Temps got up to about 70. Not too bad.
1/23/2011 First time using my bottling bucket. Went ok I guess, but probably could have gone smoother. Got 33 12 oz bottles; 4 liter bottles and one 1/2 gallon growler. Sample tasted great.
1/29/2011 Had one of the old batch. Really good still. I'm glad I have that 2nd batch coming right behind it.
2/4/2011 Not even done with the standard 2 weeks carb, but decided to put a few in the fridge so that I will have the option to drink while watching the Superbowl.
2/13/2011 Had the LB. Really like this beer.
2/19/2011 It is somewhat interesting to me that the beer model seems to like this. It is a great beer, but it does have a significant hop aroma flavor and bitterness, and she is not a hop-head. The biscuit plays real nice with a nutty ester from the yeast. The floral flavor from the crystall and the hop bitterness just add a real nice finishing touch. I am pretty sure that I have never had a beer style quite like this.
2/25/2011 I just started doing Partial mash 5 gallons and was looking to stock up on some recipes for Mr.Beer sized batches. Im glad I stumbled upon your site. Looks pretty good. I wish I knew how to build a website about my brewing
2/26/2011 Clearcut America: Hey, thanks for stopping by. I don't know if you'll see get this comment. I need to program some sort of email subscription for the comments. The easiest way to do a website is to start a blog. If you send me an email (use the <a href="/EmailForm.aspx">Contact Us form</a>), I can give you some advice on starting out.
3/25/2011 Had a liter with tacos. Really a great beer. I am glad we had a big batch, because with both the beer model and me drinking it, it does not last long.
4/21/2011 Had a completely flat one. No carbonation. Threw out the bottle.
5/27/2011 Bringing my growler of this camping. Can't wait!
5/30/2011 Drank up that growler. Still wonderful beer (even in those little plastic camping cups). Not as hoppy as it was younger. The weaker hops give the malt character an opportunity to come through. Very nice.
7/19/2011 Sadly, just about gone. Just one left.