Free the Glutens! APA
The SheppyBrew Beer Model and Brew Master have an kid-swaping arrangement with
another family. This family has two boys exactly the same age as the Brewing Assistants. The two families take turns taking all four boys for certain weekends. This works out well for things like GABF. At some point, the matriarch of the kid-swaping partner family (let's pretend her name is Gretchen so that I don't have to keep typing "the matriarch of the kid-swaping partner family" every time I refer to her) has discovered that she has a sensitivity to gluten. Unfortunately, this means Gretchen cannot drink beer without feeling uncomfortable afterwards.
When we picked up the kids last time, we inconsiderately brought beer as a "thank-you" for watching the boys. We talked about gluten-free beers a little bit. Gretchen even asked if I could brew one. To be honest, it is something I never really thought about.
So, the SheppyBrew Brew Master did some research and asked around at his LHBS's. He came up with a simple gluten-free recipe to try in a small batch. We will see how Gretchen likes the beer. Depending on how close this ends up being to drinkable, it may be tweaked one way or another. I guess we will have to see.
For more on my blog about Gluten-Free beers: http://blog.ericshepard.com/search/label/Gluten%20Free
EDIT: One of my virtual friends mentioned a couple things I knew but should have pointed out.
First, to be truly gluten-free, you need to make sure your oats are certified gluten-free (mine were not). You should also not crush those (or any of the grains you use) in the same grain mill you use to crush other malts (I used a roller pin).
Second, my recipe uses harvested yeast from another batch. This is a big no-no for gluten - free beer. If you use liquid yeast, you want to make sure it is certified gluten - free. Based on what I've read, dry yeast should be fine.
Finally, I will mention that if you are a seriously sensitive Celiac or brewing for a one, make sure you do more research than just this website. I have never really had to worry about those nasty little glutens and Gretchen ( who inspired me to try this) is not even sensitive enough to have completely given up regular gluten-full beers.
"Gretchen" did give positive feedback on the beer. Flattery will get you everywhere, and so I will have to brew this again (maybe several times).
On my facebook page: "I'm happy to be a friend of the Sheppy Brew house. Free The Glutens APA. Delicious. Thx!"
Later
on my facebook page: "I have a way for you to get rich....or just make a
good friend happy! Make more of the gluten free beer you made for me!
So so good....honestly better than what's out on the market. You could
make a killing....or just sell your recipe to New Planet. I can connect
you with the owners! In the meantime....will you PLEASE brew me another
batch?! I've been savoring it and I'm on my last bottle."
Batch 2 did not use harvested yeast.
| Free the Glutens! APA --- Batch 2 |
| Style | American Pale Ale | Batch Size | 2.40 gal | |||
| Type | Extract | Boil Size | |
2.73 gal | ||
| Brewhouse Efficiency | |
72.00 | |
Boil Time | |
30 minutes |
Recipe Characteristics
| Recipe Gravity | 1.048 SG | Estimated FG | 1.011 SG | ||||
| Recipe Bitterness | 31.3 IBUs (Rager) | Alcohol by Volume | 4.8 % | ||||
| BU : GU | |
0.656 | |
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| Recipe Color | 8.6 SRM |
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| Measured OG: | |
1.053 |
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Measured FG: | |
1.020 | |
| ADF: | |
62.3% |
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Measured ABV: | |
4.3% |
Ingredients
| Amt | Name | Type | # | %/IBU |
| 12.0 oz | Golden Naked Oats C15 (15.0 SRM) | Grain | 1 | 17.9 % |
| 0.38 oz | Centennial [12.50 %] - First Wort 30.0 min | Hop | 2 | 22.5 IBUs |
| 3 lbs 3.0 oz | Rice Extract Syrup (7.0 SRM) | Extract | 3 | 76.1 % |
| 0.50 tsp | Yeast Nutrient (Boil 10.0 mins) | Other | 4 | - |
| 0.38 oz | Centennial [12.50 %] - Boil 7.0 min | Hop | 5 | 8.8 IBUs |
| 1.0 pkg | SafBrew Ale (DCL/Fermentis #S-33) [23.66 ml] | Yeast | 6 | - |
| 4.0 oz | Honey (1.0 SRM) | Sugar | 7 | 6.0 % |
Mash Profile
Remove grains, and prepare to boil
wort
Manually crush the oats.
Bring 2.5 gallons to 160F. Steep Oats for 45 minutes.
Add first wort hops after taking out the oats, let steep for another 30 minutes.
Add syrup and bring to boil and start 30 minute timer
Add hops and nutrient as times listed
After boil, chill the wort to around 60F.
Add wort to fermenter, Fill with water as needed, and aerate. Pitch yeast.
Ferment one week starting at around 60F and let rise over the time it is fermenting.
Batch prime with 2.25 oz sugar. Carb for 2 weeks.
Brewing Record
| Brew Date: | 02/25/2012 |
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Pitch Temp: 72 |
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| Fermentation | |
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| Day 1: 62 | ||||||
| Day 2: 64 | ||||||
| Day 3: 66 | ||||||
| Day 4: | ||||||
2/23/2012 Got the Golden Naked Oats and the yeast and hops for another batch. Might brew it up tonight.
2/25/2012 Remembered I had less than 3.8 lbs of brown rice syrup, so adjusted the recipe to match actual amount. Made up some of the difference with honey. Decided to try "first wort hopping" on this batch. Completely taking out the bittering addition. Hops are a much higher alpha acid % too. Hope Gretchen ends up liking this beer too.
2/25/2012 Brewed this up. Tried first wort hopping for the first time and the smell of the oats and steeping hops were fantastic. If this beer tastes half as good as it smelled, I might not let "Gretchen" have any.
2/28/2012 This "beer" has sort of a weird fermentation. It doesn't get all that crazy in the fermenter and there is no kraussen to speak of. Last batch I hurried through. This one, I am letting sit for awhile to let the yeast take its time.
3/5/2012 Checked the gravity. Got 1.020. Doesn't really taste very sweet, though. Tastes pretty much like the old batch although might be a touch more bitter.
3/17/2012 I bottled up this batch today. 18 12 oz bottles 2 litter bottles. Lots of gunk on the bottom of the fermentor but the beer seemed pretty clear into the bottles. Nice taste, although it does have a bit of the weird gluten-free flavor.
3/18/2012 Gave "Gretchen" 16 12 oz and 1 liter bottle. Told her to leave at room temp for 2 weeks for carbonation. Both she and her husband told me ftg is far supierior to any gf beers they have had. Makes me feel good.
4/21/2012 Had one of the new batch. I like it better than the old. Doesn't have as much of the weird flavor in it. Have not heard from "Gretchen".
6/22/2012 Had one tonight. Enjoyed it. Very nice hop flavor.