Galaxy Frontier IPA

[Bizier]

OK, this is an effort not to Hijack TL's IPA thread, which I am basing this on, for a partial:

1 can real ale
1kg LDME
Galaxy Hops AA 15%
Fuggles/Cascade

Grain at my disposal:
500g pale crystal
500g med crystal
500g dark crystal
750g maris otter
500g smoked

Any suggestions or obvious combos here?
I am inexperienced

was thinking lots of galaxy - because I want to taste it
Possibly some cascade and/or fuggles for finish

Cheers
Dan

[Kevnlis]

Well the marris otter and probably smoked must be mashed. I would just steep 250g crystal for this brew. Also make sure you keep in mind the high IBU level of the Real Ale. I would suggest keeping to late additions.

[warra48]

I would save the Fuggles for another brew.
Up against Cascade and Galaxy, it will just get lost, and be totally overpowered.
Galaxy and Cascade should go well together.

[Bizier]

Thanks guys.

I am not scared of mashing - I have found that I can achieve a very consistent temperature for long periods in my huge pot with a controlled flame underneath it. But that said, I am not a sucker for punishment either.. if there is an easier way for a good product - I am there.

Fuggles out - I got cascade flowers too, so should be good for dry hop.
And I am sure I can find a use somewhere for the newfound excess of fuggles

I am upset because I got a super-automatica off eBay - but it hasn't arrived after 2 work weeks - so I have used all PET bottles on one brew - now I have 2 brews in their fermenters and heaps of bottles, and still no damn capper - but I will still be able to get one brew in on the weekend in the remaining fermenter, and believe it shall be this.

[James L]

that galaxy doesnt look too bad...

It looks as though its going to be a nice APA... nothing like james squire though..

The coopers real ale will have initial IBUs of about 29.

you could steep 250 g of crystal, strain and add to the pot, make up to 4L, boil 500g of the LME,

get up to the boil, add 15g of galaxy, boil for a further 10 minutes, add 20g of cascade, add the rest of the LME, dissolve (should take 5 mintues) then turn off heat. add the can of Real Ale, cool pot in a sink of icy water, add to fermenter with water to make a total volume of 20L, make sure temp is 18-20C, add american ale yeast, bingo bango...

the boiling of the LME and hops should add and extra 15 IBUs to the brew making it about 44... you wont really want anymore than that when the total Alc% is only going to be about 3.7

If you decide to mash the 750g of maris otter, you'll bring the alc% up to 5%, but you'll want to boil 20g of galaxy instead og 15g to bring the IBUs up to 41...

should be nice... good luck.

[Bizier]

I just ended up doing something along the gist of what you outlined there James:

real ale can
250 crystal
15g galaxy and 8g cluster at 15 min
20g cascade at 5
with 1.5 kg LDME
US05 starter

will probably dry hop, unsure with what.

I tasted some of the final wort and it was fantastic, bitter, dense, reasonably complex and spicy/fruity - I only had a tiny mouthful hours ago, so can't remember exact details.

I know I should care about recipe science, but I really don't, I have never used my hydrometers, nor followed my own scheduled recipes. I am kind of following my gut and brains and trial and error.

I am drinking the stuff I first put in the bottle, all of 3 weeks ago (and though it was a failure) it isn't that bad, crisp and clean, just a little bland... not a bad start. And now that I have a first mate aboard the good ship, things are looking very good indeed.

Thanks all for aiding and abetting a new chapter of my liver's pained existence.