Brew Dudes Homebrewing Blog

Viewer Submitted Beer Recipe #3 – Citra Blonde Ale

On April 19, 2023

One of our viewers named Mark sent us this recipe to brew. Here’s the note he sent along with it:

Hi Dudes,

So this is a beer that I have had some good reviews with. I Like Citra but not at the alcohol levels it normally seems to appear in. So I wanted to make a session type ale and I looked to make a Blonde using only Citra. To be fair, it’s slightly hoppy for the style (18A) according to the recipe builders but as it is mostly late hops, this doesn’t necessarily translate. and after all, it’s all about the flavour.

It is all about the flavor. See our video about his Citra Blonde Ale Recipe.

Citronde Recipe

Batch Size : 23 L – 6 Gallons
Boil Size : 26.85 L – 7 Gallons
Post-Boil Vol : 25 L – 6.6 Gallons

WATER

Reverse Osmosis Water with mineral additions for a Light and Hoppy profile

1 g – Baking Soda (NaHCO3)
2.6 g – Calcium Chloride (CaCl2)
1.4 g – Epsom Salt (MgSO4)
6 g – Gypsum (CaSO4)

Water Profile:
Calcium – 75 PPM
Magnesium – 5 PPM
Sodium – 18 PPM
Chloride – 48 PPM
Sulfate – 137 PPM

Sulfate to Chloride Ratio: 2.9

GRAINS

3.35 kg – 7.4 pounds of Floor Malted Maris Otter Malt (88.2% of bill)
200 g – 7 ounces of Torrefied Wheat 5 EBC (5.3% of bill)
150 g – 5.3 ounces of Acidulated Malt (4% of bill)
100 g – 3.5 ounces of Carafoam (2.6% of bill)

HOPS

20 g of Citra hops at 10 minutes to go in the boil – (12.5% AA)
20 g of Citra hops (12.5% AA) at 5 minutes to go in the boil
60 g of Citra hops (12.5% AA) for 20 minute hop stand at 80° C (176° F)

YEAST

1 packet of Fermentis SafAle US-05 American Ale Dry Yeast

INSTRUCTIONS

Mashed at 67 °C (152° F) for 60 minutes
Fermented at 22°C (72° F) for 7 days
Cold Crashed at 2 °C (35° F) for 3 days

RESULTS

Pre-Boil Gravity: 1.036
Original Gravity: 1.039 ( I got 1.042)
Final Gravity: 1.008

What Did We Think?

We love that this recipe uses only Citra hops and aims to create a session-style ale with lower alcohol levels. The beer is slightly hoppy for the American Blonde Ale style, but the late hops used don’t translate to super- high IBUs. Mike found the beer having a candied lemon and apricot aroma and flavor, with a subtle citrus hop flavor and a light, smooth body. If you’re looking for a summer beer, this one is an excellent choice.

Cheers, Mark and Brew ON!

Irish Red & Stout Recipes Brewed As A Pair

By John Krochune

On April 12, 2023

In Recipes, Videos

Mike presents two beers he brewed for a family St. Patrick’s Day celebration, an Irish Red and an Irish Stout. He wanted to offer both at the party to cater to different tastes and challenge himself with the brewing process. Following a thought process where a brewery would brew different styles using the same ingredients with slight changes. Check out this video where we taste and discuss two Irish beer styles brewed as a pair.

Here are the recipes for each beer.

Modern Irish Stout Recipe

Batch Size: 3 gallon batch (11.3L)

GRAINS
4 pounds (1.8 kg) of British Pale Ale Malt
10 ounces (284 g) of Flaked Barley
5 ounces (142 g) of Carastan Malt at 35° Lovibond
5 ounces (142 g) of Midnight Wheat
5 ounces (142 g) of Roasted Barley

HOPS
1 ounce (28 g) of Challenger Hops at 6.3%AA for 60 minutes

YEAST
WYeast 1084 Irish Ale

Modern Irish Red Ale Recipe

Batch Size: 3 gallon batch (11.3L)

GRAINS
4.5 pounds (2.04 kg) of British Pale Ale Malt
10 ounces (248 g) of Carastan Malt at 35° Lovibond
3 ounces (85 g) of Roasted Barley

HOPS
1 ounce (28 g) of Challenger Hops at 6.3%AA for 60 minutes

YEAST
WYeast 1084 Irish Ale

Procedures For The Beer Pair

Mashed at 142°F (61°C) for 90 minutes
Then ramped up temperature to 158° (70°C) for 15 minutes
Boiled for 60 minutes
Fermented at 68°F (20°C) for two weeks
Kegged for party enjoyment

Our Tasting Notes

The Irish Stout got top marks for its smooth and effortless drinkability. It had a perfect balance of complexity that made it intriguing but not overwhelming enough to tire out after a pint or two. We feel the Red Ale served as an excellent option, providing a similar taste profile while also offering a break from the roasted malt notes found in the stout.

Both these beers were received well at the party and that’s all that matters.

BREW ON!

Homebrew Jar of Destiny: The Sixth Pick

By John Krochune

On April 5, 2023

In Style Profiles, Videos

This homebrewing beer challenge rolls on as we go back to The Jar and pull out our next picks for beer styles to brew. This is our sixth pick and we have two more beer styles to brew in the next couple of months. What hath The Jar wrought this time around?

What beer styles did The Jar giveth us in our 6th pick?

Oh Jar, What Are The Beer Styles Picked This Time?

As we done since the very end of 2021, we used The Jar to give us a beer style to brew and try our hardest to brew a good example of the style. Here’s what our sixth picks gave us:

28A. Brett Beer

As a part of the American Wild Ale category of beers, Mike feels confident he will be able to come up with a recipe that will present Brett character. The turnaround time might be tight but this dude can rise to the occasion.

5D. German Pils

Mike almost had me put this one back in. I have brewed this style before. I don’t know if I would say that I have brewed one that made me extremely happy. The Jar is calling for me to elevate my game to brew an excellent one.

The clock is ticking. We will have the results for these two beers in June 2023. Until then, get caught up on all the picks:

Check out the First Pick and the start of it all!
Check out the Second Pick
Check out the Third Pick
Check out the Fourth Pick
Check out the Fifth Pick
Check out the Seventh Pick

If you want to jump ahead and see the result posts, well, here they are.

Links To The Jar of Destiny Series Results
Check out the British Strong Ale post
Check out the Black IPA post
Check out the International Amber Lager post
Check out the Belgian Tripel post
Check out the Double IPA post
Check out the Kölsch post
Check out the English IPA post
Check out the Wood-Aged Beer post
Check out the Belgian Golden Strong Ale post
Check out the American Amber Ale post
Check out the German Pils post
Check out the Brett Beer post
Check out the Munich Helles post
Check out the Imperial Stout post
Check out the Foreign Extra Stout post
Check out the Belgian IPA post
Check out the Eisbock post
Check out the Czech Dark Lager post
Check out the California Common post
Check out the American Light Lager post
Check out the Pale Kellerbier post
Check out the Belgian Pale Ale post
Check out the Trappist Single post
Check out the Classic Style Smoked Beer post
Check out the Czech Amber Lager post
Check out the Gueuze post
Check out the Irish Stout post
Check out the Tropical Stout post
Check out the Schwarzbier post
Check out the American Wheat Beer post

Thanks for following along and BREW ON!

American Amber Ale – Jar of Destiny

By John Krochune

On March 29, 2023

In Brew Log, Style Profiles, Videos

Our Jar of Destiny series wraps up the second beer of the fifth pick, which is American Amber Ale – BJCP 19A beer style. Mike’s plan was to brew a malt-forward beer that is not too over the top in its flavor. He was seeking to add a modern finish to the beer, making it drier and more drinkable. With plenty of experience drinking commercial versions of this style, Mike put together this recipe. See our tasting video for more details.

Recapturing the glory of American Amber Ale

American Amber Ale Recipe

WATER
Spring water with magnesium sulfate and Gypsum added
Final profile:

63 PPM of calcium
7 PPM of magnesium
5 PPM of chloride
166 PPM of sulfate

GRAINS
78.8% Pale Ale Malt
15% Dark Munich Malt
1.4% Crystal 80 Malt
1.4% Crystal 120 Malt
2.4% Black Patent Malt

HOPS
20 grams of Nugget Hops added at 60 minutes to go in the boil
28 grams of Willamette Hops added at flameout

YEAST
Wyeast 1056 American Ale Yeast

INSTRUCTIONS
Mash the grains at 143 degrees Fahrenheit (62° C) for 75 minutes.
Step mash at 168 degrees Fahrenheit (76° C) for 15 minutes.

Boil the wort for 60 minutes, adding the hops times noted above.
Cool the wort to 65-70 degrees Fahrenheit and pitch the yeast.

Our Tasting Notes

I think Mike hit the spot with this beer. It has a nice malty backbone with just a touch of sweetness. There wasn’t much hop aroma from Mike’s choice of Willamette. Mike felt the hops are well-balanced with the malts and they provide a nice bitterness. The color the Black Patent malt brings matches the vision we had for the beer. That brown/orange look shines through. Mike feels like there is a note of tobacco on nose, which is a bit of a surprise. It could be coming from the combo of malts.

Overall, we feel this beer is a good example of an American Amber Ale!

BREW ON!

Belgian Golden Strong Ale – Jar of Destiny

By John Krochune

On March 22, 2023

In Brew Log, Style Profiles, Videos

We are in the second year of the Jar of Destiny. The fifth picks were made at the beginning of 2023 and the beers are now ready. First up, a beer style known for its sneaky high alcohol content. It’s also known for its pale color, effervescent carbonation, fruit and spice flavor notes, and crisp, dry finish. Behold, it’s our take on the Belgian Golden Strong Ale (BJCP 25C)!

The Jar of Destiny challenges and inspires us to brew a Belgian Golden Strong Ale

Belgian Golden Strong Ale Recipe

JAR of DESTINY – BJCP Style 25C – Belgian Golden Strong Ale

Recipe for 5 US Gallons

WATER
9 gallons Spring water

GRAINS
11 pounds of Dingemans Pilsner Malt (5 kg – 100% of the bill)

HOPS
2.5 ounces (71 g) of Saaz Hops at 4.5% AA boiled for 75 minutes

ADJUNCTS
3 pounds of table sugar (1.4 Kg) added for the last 15 minutes of the boil

YEAST
2 packets of Wyeast 1388 Belgian Strong Ale

PROCEDURES

Mashed at 150 °F (66 °C) for 90 minutes

Boiled for 75 minutes

Fermented for 2 weeks – started at 62°F (17° C)

— Then, slowly raised the temperature to finish out at 82°F (28° C)

Cold Conditioned for 2 weeks at 34°F (1° C)

Added 1 tsp of gelatin to ¾ cups (180 ml) to clear

Bottled with 7 ounces (200 g) of corn sugar with LalBrew CBC-1 yeast.

Stored bottles at 75°F (24° C) for 2 weeks

RESULTS

Original Gravity: 1.074

Final Gravity: 1.009

ABV: 8.53%

Our JoD Tasting Notes

So, on the appearance, I got it crystal clear with the help of gelatin and cold conditioning. The yeast is pretty stubborn and did not want to fall out so some finings are needed.

The aroma has fruity notes alongside some spicy notes from the yeast and hops. In the flavor, all of these components shine with a really dry finish. With all table sugar, the body is very light.

It’s deceivingly easy to drink. All pear and apple notes make you want to drink more and more.

Mike really liked this one. You should give it a try.

Brew On!

Links To The Jar of Destiny Series Results
Check out the British Strong Ale post
Check out the Black IPA post
Check out the International Amber Lager post
Check out the Belgian Tripel post
Check out the Double IPA post
Check out the Kölsch post
Check out the English IPA post
Check out the Wood-Aged Beer post
Check out the Belgian Golden Strong Ale post
Check out the American Amber Ale post
Check out the German Pils post
Check out the Brett Beer post
Check out the Munich Helles post
Check out the Imperial Stout post
Check out the Foreign Extra Stout post
Check out the Belgian IPA post
Check out the Eisbock post
Check out the Czech Dark Lager post
Check out the California Common post
Check out the American Light Lager post
Check out the Pale Kellerbier post
Check out the Belgian Pale Ale post
Check out the Trappist Single post
Check out the Classic Style Smoked Beer post
Check out the Czech Amber Lager post
Check out the Gueuze post
Check out the Irish Stout post
Check out the Tropical Stout post
Check out the Schwarzbier post
Check out the American Wheat Beer post