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this was on sale at coles the other night for 10 bucks so i bought one.
i also bought from the HBS 1kg DME, 500g Mixed Crystal (half Light half normal crystal) 40g Amerillo hop pellets, and US-05 yeast to use with it. i am aiming for some sort of APA.


how does this sound? Just wanted some opinions as this is only my third brew.

Cheers

Is the crystal mixed evenly? If so, i would say use 200-250g of it - steeped in 65-70C water for an hour. Amarillo hops are a winner and are dead set perfect for an APA. If it was me, i would add 20@15 and 20@5.

Steep grain for 1h at 65-70C.
Drain off liquid and boil for 15 mins adding the DME and 20g of amarillo
After 10 mins add the rest of the amarillo.
Turn off flame 5 mins later and add the kit.
Dump into fermenter, top up to volume required and pitch US-05 at 18-20 C.

Will be a lovely beer.

Thats just my opinion
Cheers
DrSmurto

Cool, Yep the crystal is mixed evenly. i thought 500g my be a bit much, not that i have ever used it before but just from how people seem to use it here. I will definatly use the full 40g amarillo hops at different intervals like you mentioned. i really want the full flavour and aroma to seep into the beer.

Cheers

Is the crystal cracked? If not, you'll need to crack it.

yeah they cracked it for me (grain and grape)

I did that brew a while back with a whole lot of willamette, to make an IPA. The major difference between your brew and mine is that I toasted the crystal in the oven. That gives a really good toasty flavour that would work well in either APA or IPA.

How did yours come out Chris?

I ended up chucking the whole 500g of Crystal in.

i got a og of 1040 filled to 23L i thought it would have been higher with all that crystal and a kilo of malt?

The airlock started moving in an 1 hour, could fermentation have begun this quick?

Mine came out well. I used 500g crystal too- roasting 300g, the rest straight. 1040 sounds like you didn't get much out of your crystal- did you give it a good rinse-through to get out all the malty goodness?

And it really depends on the yeast as to how fast it kicks off. I didn't use the kit yeast- instead using a Coopers recultured job.

sh!t i did forget to rinse. I tasted the wort it produced and it was sweet so i got some suagrs. Was my first time steeping grains though. oh well will definatley remeber to rinse next time. Live and learn

i used the us05 yeast by the way

Just a foot note, This came out awsome. beautiful deep orange color, crystal clear, awsome robust malt hit (from the 2 crystals) balanced with a nice hit of bitterness from the added amarillo and a lovely amarillo(tropicial fruit!) flavor and aroma. The us-56 yeast is ultra clean as well.

Only thing i probably would change if i did it again is i would only fill to 21-22 litres.

i was really impressed.

it hasnt been in the bottle long about 2 weeks, so its only going to mature into something better (hopefully!)

Cheers!

Interesting...sounds like James Squire Golden Ale without the Saaz!