Blackhawk Black Ale (previous recipes)
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| BlackHawk Black Ale --- Batch 4 |
| Style | Belgian Specialty Ale | Batch Size | 5.50 gal | |||
| Type | All Grain | Boil Size | 7.76 gal | |||
| Brewhouse Efficiency | 75.00 | Boil Time | 90 minutes |
Recipe Characteristics
| Recipe Gravity | 1.060 SG | Estimated FG | 1.014 SG | ||||
| Recipe Bitterness | 30.3 IBUs (Rager) | Alcohol by Volume | 6.0 % | ||||
| BU : GU | 0.505 | ||||||
| Recipe Color | 32.0 SRM |
| |||||
| Measured OG: | 1.060 | Measured FG: | 1.014 | ||||
| ADF: | 77 | Measured ABV: | 6.1 |
Ingredients
| Amt | Name | Type | # | %/IBU |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 lbs 8.0 oz | Pale Malt (2 Row) US (2.0 SRM) | Grain | 1 | 76.8 % |
| 1 lbs | Munich Malt (9.0 SRM) | Grain | 2 | 8.1 % |
| 10.0 oz | Blackprinz (500.0 SRM) | Grain | 3 | 5.1 % |
| 8.0 oz | Caramel/Crystal Malt -120L (120.0 SRM) | Grain | 4 | 4.0 % |
| 8.0 oz | Victory Malt (25.0 SRM) | Grain | 5 | 4.0 % |
| 4.0 oz | Midnight Wheat Malt (550.0 SRM) | Grain | 6 | 2.0 % |
| 0.250 oz | Columbus [16.30 %] - First Wort 90.0 min | Hop | 7 | 17.5 IBUs |
| 0.50 tsp | Irish Moss (Boil 15.0 mins) | Fining | 8 | - |
| 0.750 oz | Columbus [16.30 %] - Boil 15.0 min | Hop | 9 | 12.7 IBUs |
| 1.00 tsp | Yeast Nutrient (Boil 10.0 mins) | Other | 10 | - |
| 1.0 pkg | American Ale II (Wyeast Labs #1272) [124.21 ml] | Yeast | 11 | - |
| 8.00 oz | Raisons (Secondary 7.0 days) | Spice | 12 | - |
Mash Profile
| Name | Description | Step Temperature | Step Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mash In | Add 15.47 qt of water at 163.7 F | 152.0 F | 60 min |
Batch sparge with 2 steps (1.50gal, 3.88gal) of 168.0 F water
Recipe Notes
I call this a Belgium Specialty Ale since it started out in the honor of 1554, but not sure that is what it is.
Make 1 liter starter
Pitch as close to 60 degrees as possible
Ferment 1 week under 65F followed by 1 week letting the temperature rise to where it wants to go.
Brewing Record
| Brew Date: | Strike Temp: | |||||
| Mash Temps: | ||||||
| Pre-boil OG | 1.050 (1.049 SG) | Pre-boil Vol | 7.5 (7.76 gal) | |||
| Actual Mash Efficiency | 85 | Pitch Temp | 62 | |||
| Fermentation | ||||||
| Day 1: Kraussen by morning 62 | ||||||
| Day ... | ||||||
| Day ... | ||||||
| BlackHawk Black Ale --- Batch 3 |
| Style | Belgian Specialty Ale | Batch Size | 5.50 gal | |||
| Type | All Grain | Boil Size | |
7.76 gal | ||
| Brewhouse Efficiency | |
75.00 | |
Boil Time | |
90 minutes |
Recipe Characteristics
| Recipe Gravity | 1.061 SG | Estimated FG | 1.017 SG | ||||
| Recipe Bitterness | 29.9 IBUs (Rager) | Alcohol by Volume | 5.8 % | ||||
| BU : GU | |
0.493 | |
|
|
| |
| Recipe Color | 32.9 SRM |
|
|
| |||
| Measured OG: | |
1.058 |
|
Measured FG: | |
1.014 | |
| ADF: | |
76% |
|
Measured ABV: | |
5.8 |
Ingredients
| Amt | Name | Type | # | %/IBU |
| 9 lbs 4.0 oz | Pale Malt (2 Row) US (2.0 SRM) | Grain | 1 | 74.4 % |
| 14.0 oz | Caramel/Crystal Malt -120L (120.0 SRM) | Grain | 2 | 7.0 % |
| 14.0 oz | Munich Malt (9.0 SRM) | Grain | 3 | 7.0 % |
| 10.0 oz | Carafa II (412.0 SRM) | Grain | 4 | 5.0 % |
| 8.0 oz | Victory Malt (25.0 SRM) | Grain | 5 | 4.0 % |
| 5.0 oz | Midnight Wheat Malt (550.0 SRM) | Grain | 6 | 2.5 % |
| 0.250 oz | Columbus [17.00 %] - Boil 60.0 min | Hop | 7 | 16.6 IBUs |
| 0.50 tsp | Irish Moss (Boil 15.0 mins) | Fining | 8 | - |
| 0.750 oz | Columbus [17.00 %] - Boil 15.0 min | Hop | 9 | 13.3 IBUs |
| 1.00 tsp | Yeast Nutrient (Boil 10.0 mins) | Other | 10 | - |
| 4.00 oz | Raisons (Boil 5.0 mins) | Spice | 11 | - |
| 3.00 g | Seeds of Paradise (Boil 5.0 mins) | Spice | 12 | - |
| 1.0 pkg | Thames Valley Ale (Wyeast Labs #1275) [124.21 ml] | Yeast | 13 | - |
Mash Profile
| Name | Description | Step Temperature | Step Time |
| Mash In | Add 15.55 qt of water at 170.5 F | 158.0 F | 45 min |
Batch sparge with 2 steps (1.48gal, 3.88gal) of 168.0 F water
Recipe Notes
I call this a Belgium Specialty Ale since it started out in the honor of 1554, but not sure that is what it is.
Seeds of paradise get added into the fermentor. Crush seeds and soak in vodka to sanitize.
Ferment 1 week ~65F followed by 1 week ~72F
Brewing Record
| Brew Date: | 12/2/2012 |
Strike Temp: | |
170 | ||
| Mash Temps: | | |||||
| Pre-boil OG | |
1.046 (1.049 SG) | |
Pre-boil Vol | |
7.8 (7.76 gal) |
| Actual Mash Efficiency | 80 |
Pitch Temp | |
64 | ||
| Fermentation | |
|
|
|
|
|
| Day 1: Got going early 62 | ||||||
| Day 2: 66 | ||||||
| Day ... | ||||||
Brewing Notes:
11/28/2012 esheppy
Bought
ingredients. Went with WY1275 rather than 1272. Used Midnight Wheat
instead of Black Patent. Remembered to buy a floating thermometer.
12/02/2012 Brew Day esheppy
Brewed this beer. Mash through church. Nice tasting wort. Soaked paradise seeds in vodka and put them in with the yeast. Also added in some clarity ferm. Pitched around 64.
12/03/2012 esheppy
Very active in the morning. In fact, air lock was already full of kraussen. Had to put in blow-off tube.
12/04/2012 esheppy
More reasonable activity this morning. Temperature at 66ish.
12/05/2012 esheppy
Calmed down considerably. Have the airlock back in. There is still movement. Bubbles only once every few seconds. Tmeperature at 66.
12/08/2012 esheppy
Put into secondary with half a pound of raisins. I soaked the raisins in star san and added to a grain bag. The gravity of the beer is at 1.020, which is certainly full bodied. That is actually what I was going for with the high mash temp. Will let it stay on secondary for a week or two and then see what is what.
12/08/2012 esheppy
So, right now, the beer is at 5% ABV.
12/15/2012 esheppy
Took a sample and got 1.014 which puts the beer at 5.8 ABV. I'm a bit surprised at the extra attenuation since it went into secondary, but it is actually probably better here. Will probably keg and bottle tomorrow.
12/16/2012 esheppy
Kegged and bottled. Got 5 bombers. 1 liter. 12 12 oz bottles. Sample tasted great.
12/20/2012 esheppy
Printed labels and put them on the bottles.
12/30/2012 tracyshep
According to the calendar, the carbonation period is over today. Need to put some bottles in the fridge.
01/01/2013 esheppy
Put the keg in the garage to chill it down a bit. Don't think the 42 SMaSH will last too much longer, so BHB will be on tap soon.
01/04/2013 esheppy
Had one of the 12oz bottles tonight. Wonderful. I was going to check into untappd, but discovered that I've never put it in.
01/06/2013 esheppy
The lockout is over! Obviously I should get most of the credit for brewing this beer. It goes on tap today.
01/09/2013 esheppy
Well, despite what the last comment said, I put the keg on tap this morning instead. I defrosted the keggerator last night, so the beer should stay cold for awhile.
01/17/2013 esheppy
I have had a few and will probably drink quite a bit now that the season is starting. I do think next time I brew this, I will make a bigger effort to use WY1272. I think the Thames yeast is fine, but seems to accentuate the roast more. The nutty smoother flavor I remember of this beer in more in-line with the spirit of this beer and think WY1272 is the way to go.
01/24/2013 esheppy
Bottled some up with the beer gun from the keg. Entering this as a robust porter into a local home-brew competition. Don't really have high hopes but we'll see. I really need some sort of quick-connect for the gas on the beer gun.
04/20/2013 tracyshep
Leo had some: http://m.untappd.com/c/28032803
04/30/2013 esheppy
Drinking a bomber while watching the mighty Blackhawks play the evil Wild. I had forgotten a little how great this beer is. Absolutely wonderful.
10/20/2013 esheppy
This batch still tastes great. Need to do another one sometime soon.
01/05/2014 esheppy
Found 1 in the beer fridge. Still tastes yummy. Think this is the last one. Need to be this again soon.
| BlackHawk Black Ale Batch 2 --- cost $14.53 |
| Style | Belgian Specialty Ale | Batch Size | 2.40 gal | |||
| Type | Partial Mash | Boil Size | 1.92 gal |
Recipe Characteristics
| Recipe Gravity | 1.060 SG | Estimated FG | 1.015 SG | ||||
| Recipe Bitterness | 31.4 IBU (Rager) | Alcohol by Volume | 5.91 % | ||||
| BU : GU | 0.521 | ||||||
| Recipe Color | 25.3 SRM |
|
|||||
| Measured OG: | 1.066 | Measured FG: | 1.017 | ||||
| ADF: | 74% | Measured ABV: | 6.4% |
Ingredients
| Amount | Item | Type | % or IBU |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 lbs | Briess Pilsen Light LME (2.0 SRM) | Extract | 43.24 % |
| 12.0 oz | Briess Wheat LME (3.0 SRM) | Extract | 16.22 % |
| 12.0 oz | Pale Malt (2 Row) US (2.0 SRM) | Grain | 16.22 % |
| 6.0 oz | Caramel/Crystal Malt -120L (120.0 SRM) | Grain | 8.11 % |
| 4.0 oz | Chocolate Malt (350.0 SRM) | Grain | 5.41 % |
| 4.0 oz | Munich Malt (9.0 SRM) | Grain | 5.41 % |
| 4.0 oz | Victory Malt (25.0 SRM) | Grain | 5.41 % |
| 0.25 oz | Columbus [14.20 %] (60 min) | Hops | 28.4 IBU |
| 0.25 oz | Pearle [7.50 %] (10 min) | Hops | 3.0 IBU |
| 0.25 tsp | Irish Moss (Boil 15.0 min) | Misc | |
| 0.50 gm | Seeds of Paradise (Boil 5.0 min) | Misc | |
| 0.50 tsp | Yeast Nutrient (Boil 10.0 min) | Misc | |
| 1.50 oz | Raisons (Boil 5.0 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 45 min | Mash In | Add 2.34 qt of water at 170.5 F | 158.0 F |
Batch Sparge Round 1: Sparge with 0.65 gal of 168.0 F water
Batch Sparge Round 2: Sparge with 1.01 gal of 168.0 F water
Recipe Notes
Harvested yeast from Phat & Tyred Ale http://www.wyeastlab.com/hb_yeaststrain_detail.cfm?ID=11
Ferment 1 week ~65F followed by 1 week ~72F
Batch prime with 2.25 oz table sugar boiled in 1 cup water.
Brewing Notes: 05/08/2010
I harvested the yeast straight from Phat & Tyred bottling session. Chilled it a few hours and then made a starter for my next batch of Blackhawk Black.
05/09/2010
Mixed it up. Mash for about an hour... then let sit before the boil. Ended up with an OG of 1.066. Pitched right at about 62.
05/25/2010 Bottled esheppy
Bottled up with 2.25oz sugar in about a cup and 1/2 water. Got 2 liter and 22 12oz bottles. Attenuated better than my last batch (got down to 1.017 starting at 1.066). If my beer memory is correct this one did taste more dry. Think now that my fermentation seems more efficient, I might want to add in some carapils or maybe more crystal. Of course, maybe I should wait until I taste the finished beer.
06/08/2010
Put in conditioning cooler.
06/12/2010 esheppy
Put a six-pack in the beer fridge.
06/20/2010
Tried LB last night. I think I prefer the columbus flavor hops to the pearle, but still nice balanced black beer.
08/05/2010 esheppy
Yum yum yum yum! Really nice. I really should try to get myself another 6-pack of 1554 to compare. I'm sure I'm still not quite there, but this choice of hops is certainly closer.
03/24/2011 esheppy
Had one. Tastes good, but it is getting old. Need to finish these off and brew some more.
-----------------
BlackHawk Black Ale --- cost $13.43
| Style | Belgian Specialty Ale | Batch Size | 2.40 gal | |||
| Type | Partial Mash | Boil Size | 1.92 gal |
Recipe Characteristics
| Recipe Gravity | 1.060 SG | Estimated FG | 1.015 SG | ||||
| Recipe Bitterness | 32.2 IBU (Rager) | Alcohol by Volume | 5.89 % | ||||
| BU : GU | 0.536 | ||||||
| Recipe Color | 29.3 SRM |
|
|||||
| Actual OG | 1.061 | Actual FG | 1.020 | ||||
| ADF: | 67.2% | Measured ABV: | 5.50% |
Ingredients
| Amount | Item | Type | % or IBU |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 lbs 12.0 oz | Briess Pilsen Light LME (2.0 SRM) | Extract | 59.46 % |
| 12.0 oz | Pale Malt (2 Row) US (2.0 SRM) | Grain | 16.22 % |
| 4.0 oz | Caramel/Crystal Malt - 75L (75.0 SRM) | Grain | 5.41 % |
| 4.0 oz | Chocolate Malt (350.0 SRM) | Grain | 5.41 % |
| 4.0 oz | Munich Malt (9.0 SRM) | Grain | 5.41 % |
| 4.0 oz | Victory Malt (25.0 SRM) | Grain | 5.41 % |
| 2.0 oz | Black (Patent) Malt (500.0 SRM) | Grain | 2.70 % |
| 0.13 oz | Columbus [14.20 %] (60 min) | Hops | 14.8 IBU |
| 0.38 oz | Columbus [14.20 %] (25 min) | Hops | 17.4 IBU |
| 0.25 tsp | Irish Moss (Boil 15.0 min) | Misc | |
| 0.50 gm | Seeds of Paradise (Boil 5.0 min) | Misc | |
| 0.50 tsp | Yeast Nutrient (Boil 10.0 min) | Misc | |
| 1.50 oz | Raisons (Boil 5.0 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 45 min | Mash In | Add 2.34 qt of water at 170.5 F | 158.0 F |
Batch Sparge Round 1: Sparge with 0.65 gal of 168.0 F water
Batch Sparge Round 2: Sparge with 1.01 gal of 168.0 F water
Recipe Notes
Harvested yeast from Phat & Tyred Ale http://www.wyeastlab.com/hb_yeaststrain_detail.cfm?ID=11
Ferment 1 week ~65F followed by 1 week ~72F
Batch prime with 2.25 oz table sugar boiled in 1 cup water.
| Date | Note |
| 10/21/2009 Thur | Designed beer based on my Phat & Tyred Ale adding some chocolate and black patent malts along with magnum hops. |
| 11/16/2009 Mon | "Finalized' brewing schedule for this beer. Unless something comes up, I will mix this up on the Friday after Thanksgiving. |
| 11/21/2009 Sat | Redid recipe in BeerSmith |
| 11/26/2009 Thur | Early morning: made my starter with 2 cups water and 1/2 cup extra light DME |
| 11/27/2009 Fri | Mixed batch. My OG was 1.060 at about 74. Call it 1.061 which means my mash efficiency was about 70 instead of the expected 67. Put all the starter in since it had not really finished. |
| 12/01/2009 Tues | Hot and heavy fermentation is finished (probably has been for the last couple days) and the keg temp is down to 62. Filled up the conditioning cooler a bit with WWW around Rutt. |
| 12/03/2009 Thur | Moved out of conditioning cooler to make room for Tuke's Wetta Blonde. |
| 12/12/2009 Sat | Bottled with 2.25oz sugar in 2 cups water. Got 2 liter bottles and 20 12 oz bottles plus the LB which was only about 2/3 full. Did not get very big samples, and it might be different once I actually taste side by side, but I thought the beer was very close to 1554. Of course who knows what it will taste like in a month or two? FG was 1.020. |
| 12/29/2009 Tues | Put some in conditioning cooler and some in the beer fridge. Twisted one the the Blue Moon bottle caps and it popped open, so I had to taste it. What a great beer. Going to let it condition some before tasting side by side with 1554, but it is really close and really good. |
| 01/02/2010 Sat | Had the LB which was not included in the inventory. WOW. I think I might have a new favorite right here. Of course, it was the LB and it was not conditioned and I had 2 other beers before this one. But, it really was great. Stay tuned for when I can taste this after conditioning with a clear head. |
| 01/09/2010 Sat | Put 5 into beer fridge. Targeting a taste at the end of the month. May save these for my birthday. |
| 01/24/2010 Sun | Tried one of these. Loved it. Also tried a 1554. The 1554 is less hoppy than mine. Probably a different hop as well, but I think I'm going to leave this recipe exactly how it is. Might cut down or cut out the black patent, because mine is just a bit darker than 1554, but then again, might not. |
| 01/29/2010 Fri | Compared another with a 1554. 1554 has a little
quality I cannot quite place. I think the taste profiles
of the grains are really close. Perhaps a bit more dark
crystal and maybe a bit less chocolate. Mine is
significantly darker. 1554 has a red hint to it where mine
is black. I do not think I'm going to worry about the
color. I think a slightly less cirtusy hop and perhaps
just a bit less bitterness would make it closer. I could
also try a lager yeast, as that is what New Belgium does
according to their web site. Now, here is the thing though: I'm not 100% sure a match of 1554 should be my goal. I REALLY like how this turned out, so I do not want to monkey with it too much. |
| 01/30/2010 Sat | Had one while brewing up some Fools Gold Ale. Took its picture for this page. Notice the think yummy head? Really a great beer. Most of the rest (all but 2 12ers) went into the beer fridge. |
| 02/14/2010 Sun | Had a liter last night. Still great, although the head on this one was not as good as earlier ones. I have had a few of these without reporting, but they have all been just as fantastic as the early ones, so I would not be saying much more. |