Blonde Ale

 

Recipe Date: February, 2012  

Type: Extract - AHS Real Ale Fireman's #4 (6B) # 04337  

Specialty Grains: .5 lb 2-Row Malt  

Extract: 7 lb Extra Pale Extract  

60 Minute Hops: 1.5 oz Crystal (4.3 % Alpha Acid)  

15 Minute Hops: 1 oz Crystal  

5 Minute Hops: .5 oz Crystal  

Yeast: White Labs - Dry English Ale 007 - WLP007  

OG/FG: 1.050 / 1.012  

Brewing Notes:

The fermentation started after less than 12 hours and seemed to almost stop after 3 days.  On the fifth day, I racked the beer off to the carboy and let it rest for another 5 days.  After moving the carboy to the kitchen counter, I noticed about 1 inch of sediment.  It was more than I expected - indicating to me that the fermentation process hadn't stopped completely in the primary fermenter.  That's okay, I thought, that was the purpose of the "secondary fermenter". 

After 5 days in the secondary, I racked the beer to a keg and let it sit for another 5 days at room temperature (10 psi).  Finally, I moved the keg to refrigeration at 30 psi.

Results:

This is a very smooth blonde ale.  I drank four pints the first night and they went down great.  This is a beer that I could drink all evening long and not get tired of the taste.  It tastes a lot like Fireman's 4, but with a slight taste of hops (which I like very much).  It is also a little darker than the actual Fireman's 4 by Real Ale.