Clear Blonde Ale

 

Recipe Date: November 21, 2012  

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

Specialty Grains: .75 lb 2-Row Malt  

Extract: 7 lb Extra Pale Extract  

60 Minute Hops: .75 oz Crystal  

15 Minute Hops: .75 oz Crystal  

5 Minute Hops: .5 oz Crystal  

Yeast: White Labs - Dry English Ale 007 - WLP007  

OG/FG: 1.050 / 1.011  

Brewing Notes:

I brewed this same blonde ale recipe in February, 2012. It was the second batch of beer that I had ever made.  I liked it so much that I decided to make it again.  After brewing several batches of beer (starting with the Brown Ale - July 2012), I noticed that they get quite a bit clearer with a little aging.  After one week of fermentation, and another week of secondary fermentation, I let the blonde ale age an additional six weeks in a keg with 20 psi of C02, before chilling it.

Results:

Once this blonde ale was chilled and carbonated, I sampled the first glass.  It was still a little cloudy, but not like the February brew.  After the beer chilled for another three weeks, I started noticing some clarity.  The picture of the clear blonde ale on this page was taken 1 month after it was chilled (about three months after pitching the yeast).

This beer is excellent and smooth.  My wife and I enjoyed several glasses while watching the NFL conference championships and Super Bowl.  It was a great way to finish the 2012/2013 football season.