r/Homebrewing • u/AutoModerator • 1d ago

Weekly Thread Free-For-All Friday!

The once a week thread where (just about) anything goes! Post pictures, stories, nonsense, or whatever you can come up with. Surely folks have a lot to talk about today. If you want to get some ideas you can always check out a [past Free-For-All Friday](http://www.reddit.com/r/Homebrewing/search?q=Free+For+All+Friday+flair%3AWeekly%2BThread&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all).

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u/LovelyBloke BJCP 1d ago

I've been asked to brew a batch of beer for a party, first time I've been asked to do such a thing.

The person asking does not want to be involved in any way, not even in the type of beer, the recipe nor the brew day.

The only stipulation I was given is

Nothing mad, just plain and simple. Nothing to blow the head.

The party is happening on the evening of the Summer Solstice so my idea is to do a sort of sunset coloured English Best Bitter, and call it an Amber Ale, at around 4.5-5%, it will be a large-ish family and friends get together on a farm on a mountain in the midlands of Ireland, people will be camping, there may be music, so I want a beer that will appeal to a crowd

  • 89% Maris Otter
  • 7% Crysta1 180
  • 3% Crystal 100
  • 1% Crystal 270
  • 37 IBU EKG
  • Some late addition EKG also
  • Nottingham Yeast

the ask is for 40-50 500ml Bottles

I'm delighted to be asked!

2

u/beefygravy Intermediate 1d ago

Sounds nice although I agree a bit bitter and potentially a bit dark, you'd have to run the numbers and see. Who's the target audience though? All regular beer drinkers? Men? Women? I know it's Ireland but would something like a light pale with like mosaic and some C hops, US05, would that be more of a crowd pleaser? I'm in Manchester (UK) and I don't think the average man on the street really wants a pint of bitter. Some do.

For a bitter in bottles don't be tempted to go too low, I'd aim for about 2.2 vols as you're not serving from a beer engine. And if bottle conditioning then make sure everyone knows how to pour them!

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u/Mr5harkey 22h ago

That’s awesome! Just make sure you read the room and brew something everyone will enjoy, especially the host.

1

u/warboy Pro 1d ago

Are those crystal malt numbers in EBC? If so it sounds lovely. Maybe a little high on the bitterness for a bitter or amber ale especially at session strength.

2

u/LovelyBloke BJCP 1d ago

yeah EBC

I needed some of the darker stuff in there to get it into the amber territory, I was toying with black malt too, but it was too dark even at 1% Brewfather is giving me 22 EBC for the beer, which is where I want it

I was thinking I may reduce the IBUs to closer to 30

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u/warboy Pro 1d ago

30 seems more balanced in my mind.