Steam beer

[Timmsy]

ok i had a look at the recipe on that website...

your version looks ok... except they only ask for 0.03lb of chocolate which works out to be about 15-20g of chocolate... it looks as though they are only adding it for colour... so i would reduce the ammount that you are going to add...

also, when you buy your northern brewer you'll need to work out the bitterness depending on the aa% of the hops that you buy...

also as the other guys said, your bitterness will depend on how you boil it (malt/water ratio). so you'll need to tell us how you plan on doing it, and we'll go from there...

Thanks for that mate. I had jotted down another recipe on my laptop at home. I will copy and post it up tommorow.

[Trough Lolly]

Scotty's California Common / Steam beer recipe is a ripper...

I have a glass of it in front of me right now! An excellent room temp fermented lager.

Cheers,
TL

[Neil]

Scotty's California Common / Steam beer recipe is a ripper...

I have a glass of it in front of me right now! An excellent room temp fermented lager.

Cheers,
TL

Hi TL
A Cailfornian common is my next planned AG brew. I have loaded your version into Beersmith and plan to have a crack at that. Looking at Scott Morgan's recipe though I see his grain bill is a deal simpler than the one you used, with just some crystal for colour and extra flavour, etc. A daft question probably, but how do you think the two beers stack up? Are they just 'different' but equally quaffable? BTW, I'm assuming that Morgan's was a c. 23litre final volume beer?

Cheers

Neil

[Trough Lolly]

G'day Neil,
Scotty's AG recipe is very close to mine. His partial mash recipe does away with all the other specialty grains (eg, flaked barley, wheat and oats) if you aren't using a pale malt to convert all the available starches. I haven't made the partial mash version so I can't comment on it - but I would humbly submit that an extract only version without the flaked barley, wheat and oats would not get close to the silky mouthfeel that these specialty grains contribute to the final product. If you like Northern Brewer hops, you'll love this beer.

Fresh ingredients and using the right strain of yeast for this style is a must. I've used the Wyeast and White Labs strains and for all I know, they're probably almost identical under a microscope but I personally prefer the Wyeast strain if you can get it.

Cheers,
TL

[tazman67]

Which Northern Brewer to use ? The Americain is preferred...but rare as..Is the German variety as good ?

[Neil]

G'day Neil,
Scotty's AG recipe is very close to mine. I haven't made the partial mash version so I can't comment on it - but I would humbly submit that an extract only version without the flaked barley, wheat and oats would not get close to the silky mouthfeel that these specialty grains contribute to the final product. If you like Northern Brewer hops, you'll love this beer.

Fresh ingredients and using the right strain of yeast for this style is a must. I've used the Wyeast and White Labs strains and for all I know, they're probably almost identical under a microscope but I personally prefer the Wyeast strain if you can get it.

Cheers,
TL

G'day TL
I'm not sure that I'm up with the latest iteration of your steam beer but I have loaded up the one that uses a kilo of Munich, plus some choc. malt. I've got a smack pack of the Wyeast SanFran lager yeast sitting in the fridge just waiting for a slap as soon as my bulk buy grains arrive. Would the flaked barley and wheat that you get from the local health food store be okay for this? I just can't wait to get this one going . Have you fermented this one out at different temperatures (e.g. normal lager brewing temps. as well as 'Canberra ambient')? If so, did you get noticeable changes in the taste profile?

Cheers

Neil

[Trough Lolly]

G'day Neil,
Scotty's AG recipe is very close to mine. I haven't made the partial mash version so I can't comment on it - but I would humbly submit that an extract only version without the flaked barley, wheat and oats would not get close to the silky mouthfeel that these specialty grains contribute to the final product. If you like Northern Brewer hops, you'll love this beer.

Fresh ingredients and using the right strain of yeast for this style is a must. I've used the Wyeast and White Labs strains and for all I know, they're probably almost identical under a microscope but I personally prefer the Wyeast strain if you can get it.

Cheers,
TL

G'day TL
I'm not sure that I'm up with the latest iteration of your steam beer but I have loaded up the one that uses a kilo of Munich, plus some choc. malt. I've got a smack pack of the Wyeast SanFran lager yeast sitting in the fridge just waiting for a slap as soon as my bulk buy grains arrive. Would the flaked barley and wheat that you get from the local health food store be okay for this? I just can't wait to get this one going . Have you fermented this one out at different temperatures (e.g. normal lager brewing temps. as well as 'Canberra ambient')? If so, did you get noticeable changes in the taste profile?

Cheers

Neil

Healthfood flaked barley and wheat should be fine - that's where I get my flaked wheat...I have only fermented this one at 18C when I use the San Fran strain. I honestly have no idea how the San Fran strain goes at "lager" ferment temps. I have, however, fermented this brew with Wyeast 2000 at 12C and it was excellent.

Cheers,
TL

[Trough Lolly]

Which Northern Brewer to use ? The Americain is preferred...but rare as..Is the German variety as good ?

AFAIK, the German variety of NB is the "true variety". I have US NB in the freezer and it is quite good. Either will do nicely. I also like the dry hopped Cascade (I have the Cascade in the fermenter and splash pour the chilled wort into the fermenter to get things going.

Cheers,
TL

[tazman67]

Thanks TL...will do a side by side sometime... Great recipe..just got to find a spare fermenter...dont we all ?

[Neil]

After a bit of a slow start my Cali Common is now into its 7th day of fermentation, still bubbling steadily away. Can anyone tell me if I should give this a diacetyl rest even though it's been fermenting out at c. 18C? I've probably answered my own question there but I'd just like to know what the convention is. Can't wait to get this into secondary and then into the bottle, etc. The aroma is enough to get me drooling.....

Neil

[Trough Lolly]

If you're fermenting at 18C, a diacetyl rest should not be necessary...

Cheers,
TL

[Neil]

Thanks TL - pleased to hear that. I've just realised that I probably slightly underhopped this beer because in BeerSmith I put my later additions down as 'aroma'. I didn't adjust the boil times for each addition and so by default these came out as adding 0 AAUs. Anyway, would you recommend dry hopping with, say 10g of Amarillo? I know that's not going to do anything about the bitterness but is this generally done with a steam beer anyway?

Cheers

Neil

[Trough Lolly]

Sure, you could dry hop with some Amarillo - I've dry hopped with Cascade and Amarillo in the past and the beer has turned out fine. I must admit that this is a great beer style if you like fresh Northern Brewer all the way....it's quite ok to dry hope with Northern Brewer if you like.

Cheers,
TL

[Neil]

I read where you're coming from TL. Seeing this is my first Cali Common I'll try and stick to first principles and try some NB as a dry hop. Would 10g be enough? Also, even though this has been fermenting away for a week (actually longer now) it's taken a long time to chew through the wort. I checked the SG two days ago and it had only gone from 1.050 to 1.030. I guess WY2112 acts the same as any other lager yeast that way? It would have been sitting at a fairly constant c. 18 C although it has got cold overnight up here over the past few nights and I guess that would have pulled the handbrake on it a bit.

Cheers

Neil

[drsmurto]

TL, have you tried the Steam Exchange beer - Steam Ale ??

Scored myself a fair whack of it from ANAWBS and am loving it. Very easy to drink. Like i tried to point out on AHB, american hops dont have to be in your face as is the case in my golden ale......

This is a beer i will be brewing in the future. I like the look of all the unmalted barley/wheat/oats in a sumemr style ale.

This is a stupid question, i acknowledge that, but i have too many yeast in the bank at the moment crying out to be used. What would you recommend as an alternative to the san fan yeast?

I am guessing a hybrid yeast like 1007 or 2575?

Dont really want to go out and buy another yeast when i have so many in vials and 2 smack packs waiting (and 4 on order).

Have put Scotts recipe in beersmith. I had a handle on the list but its recently ballooned on me.

[Trough Lolly]

I read where you're coming from TL. Seeing this is my first Cali Common I'll try and stick to first principles and try some NB as a dry hop. Would 10g be enough? Also, even though this has been fermenting away for a week (actually longer now) it's taken a long time to chew through the wort. I checked the SG two days ago and it had only gone from 1.050 to 1.030. I guess WY2112 acts the same as any other lager yeast that way? It would have been sitting at a fairly constant c. 18 C although it has got cold overnight up here over the past few nights and I guess that would have pulled the handbrake on it a bit.

Cheers

Neil

Yep, 10 to 12g of NB dry hopped is fine - see how it tastes and adjust accordingly afterwards...

Cheers,
TL

[Trough Lolly]

TL, have you tried the Steam Exchange beer - Steam Ale ??

Scored myself a fair whack of it from ANAWBS and am loving it. Very easy to drink. Like i tried to point out on AHB, american hops dont have to be in your face as is the case in my golden ale......

This is a beer i will be brewing in the future. I like the look of all the unmalted barley/wheat/oats in a sumemr style ale.

This is a stupid question, i acknowledge that, but i have too many yeast in the bank at the moment crying out to be used. What would you recommend as an alternative to the san fan yeast?

I am guessing a hybrid yeast like 1007 or 2575?

Dont really want to go out and buy another yeast when i have so many in vials and 2 smack packs waiting (and 4 on order).

Have put Scotts recipe in beersmith. I had a handle on the list but its recently ballooned on me.

Hmmm, Steam Ale? Never tried it - sounds like fun...
As for an alternate to San Fran lager yeast, it's a tough question, especially if you want that smooth, rich and very mellow (read California) flavour profile that the strain gives us. I have used Wyeast 2000 on this (my Steamfest beer recipe) and as for the hybrids you mentioned, I'd go for the 1007 strain - that would be an interesting combo I think.

Confession: I actually did a batch of this with 1028 London Ale yeast and I found it quite nice!

Cheers,
TL

[Timmsy]

Was thinking at giving this sucker a go, It is based on the recipe in the link that TL posetd up. Any thoughts guys

Also DrSmurto am drinking a Steam Ale from Steam Exchange. Went there yesterday and sample all there beer. Very Nice!

Recipe: Steamo
Brewer: timmsy
Asst Brewer:
Style: California Common Beer
TYPE: Partial Mash
Taste: (35.0)

Recipe Specifications
--------------------------
Batch Size: 18.93 L
Boil Size: 15.44 L
Estimated OG: 1.055 SG
Estimated Color: 21.4 EBC
Estimated IBU: 35.9 IBU
Brewhouse Efficiency: 75.00 %
Boil Time: 60 Minutes

Ingredients:
------------
Amount Item Type % or IBU
3.60 kg Lager Malt (3.9 EBC) Grain 80.00 %
0.30 kg Barley, Flaked (3.3 EBC) Grain 6.67 %
0.30 kg Crystal, Dark (Joe White) (216.7 EBC) Grain 6.67 %
0.20 kg Wheat, Flaked (3.2 EBC) Grain 4.44 %
0.10 kg Oats, Flaked (2.0 EBC) Grain 2.22 %
35.00 gm Northern Brewer [6.70 %] (60 min) Hops 23.5 IBU
25.00 gm Northern Brewer [6.70 %] (15 min) Hops 8.3 IBU
30.00 gm Northern Brewer [6.70 %] (5 min) Hops 4.0 IBU

Wyeast Californian 2112

[Neil]

Yep, 10 to 12g of NB dry hopped is fine - see how it tastes and adjust accordingly afterwards...
Cheers,
TL

Well, my Californian Common has been in the bottle for about 4 months and is now tasting just luvverly. A delicious blend of sweet, roasty malt, with just a touch of the choc malt to give it an edge, and the Northern Brewer hops rounding it out nicely. The aroma is divine! So, thanks TL - I'll be brewing this one again. I'd post a photo up of a schooner of this but it looks too difficult.

Cheers

Neil

[Trough Lolly]

No worries Neil - good to see you're enjoying this immensely enjoyable beer. The HBS didn't have any right yeast so I'm doing an APA today...

Cheers,
TL