Perfect American Pale Ale

[funkybrew]

G'day, Have been following list for 5 batches now (tried a stout, porter, pale ale, amber ale & something else).
Other than the first one (which used a kit) i have used unhopped extracts with hops in the boil and a couple with dry hopping. Plus some various specialty grains added before the boil.
Now i have experimented abit (and i will again), i would like to perfect a staple beer that i can always return to when i want a refreshing ale. One that i perfect i guess.
My favourate beer do buy to do this is a Little Creatures Pale Ale. Especially when sitting at the brewery sipping on a fresh one direct from the tanks.
So while not replicating this beer, i would like to perfect an American Pale Ale, with similar refreshing characteristics and alcohol content.
I aim to do a number of batches to do this, but suggestions would be handy.
I prefer to use unhopped extracts so i can add my own hops for some individuality. I also am keen to use specialty grains and maybe other additions. I like the idea of only using malt extracts as fermentables because i like the purity. I boil in a 15 litre pot, so have to top up my brew from the tap.

Cheers

[MHD]

mmm LCPA... The best thing to come out of your state

I think dry hopping is a must,

[gregb]

Funky,

Try the Lady Liberty Pale Ale on here:http://www.howtobrew.com/section4/chapter19-3.html

Cheers,
Greg

[NickMoore]

I've tried the lady liberty (extract version) and she is most excellent. I used cluster instead of northern brewer though (only due to availability). add 250g cyrstal and you'll have a better beer than lcpa.

[funkybrew]

Cheers, sound good!

[gregb]

When I did the Lady Liberty I was reading US Gallons but brewed in Imperial Gallons. Ended up more like an IPA, but was still good.

Cheers,
Greg

[Rob E]

Great tip, have saved the recipe. LCPA is my preferred "bought" ale these days. The normal brewshop recipe based on Black Rock Pilsner Blonde and 12g Cascade is a very pale imitation!

[pharmaboy]

Best hop treatment i think is around 15 grams each of cascade and chinook - will be pellets, 1/2 dry hopped, 1./2 boiled for a couple of minutes and allowed to cool. LCPA has no crystal in it, and is light in body and colour relative to the US APA's- last one I did was about 35 ibu, and no crystal addition, and was way too bitter for balance - could have gone for some crystal, ibu's around 20 I think are fine for hops only addition and no crystal. Best yeast is easy -saf US 56.

[DJ]

Great tip, have saved the recipe. LCPA is my preferred "bought" ale these days. The normal brewshop recipe based on Black Rock Pilsner Blonde and 12g Cascade is a very pale imitation!

I put one down on Saturday and used

Black Rock Premium Pilsner
Cascade Hops 10g
Brew Booster #15 (can't remember what the exact mix but did have Dried Corn Syrup)


The book I had said Pilsner Blonde but the guy at the shop didn't have any and said that wouldn't make much difference.. And wouldn't be as light in colour..

[NickMoore]

Also, throw in some dried wheat malt.

[Hully]

I would agree with pharmaboy,

Did a clone using cascade & chinook with US-56 and it turned out great. A very hoppy version

Do a search on US-56 for some other ideas. I would give you a link but haven't mastered that yet

Oliver was talking of doing one last year, have you had a chance to do one yet

[Oliver]

Oliver was talking of doing one last year, have you had a chance to do one yet

I haven't, Hully (in fact, my brewing activities have been woeful lately). But here's the thread: http://www.homebrewandbeer.com/forum/vi ... .php?t=748

Cheers,

Oliver