Maybe I could get some advise ??
I’ve made this beer a couple times in the past (3 gallons)
the first try was ok
The second time I ended up with more of a brighter citrus flavor from the hops that I loved and want again .....
I’m going to try this again tomorrow in another 3 gallon batch , using Brewers Friend this is what I’ve come up with
3.6 lb 2- row
.43 lb carapils
.27 lb crystal
.27 lb Vienna
Puts brew at an OG of 1.039 ( 4.2 ABV )
Hops schedule —
.12 oz centennial @ 55 min. (10% AA)
.20 oz centennial @ 15 min.
.20 oz cascade @ 15 min. (7.1 AA)
.25 oz cascade @ 5 min.
Puts IBU’s at 22
I changed the original hop schedule thinking more late additions would give me more of the bright citrusy flavor I’m looking for while still keeping some of the bitterness to balance , I’m not really wanting to dry hop if I can make late additions work...
I know water makes a difference but still being somewhat new to brewing I’m still trying to figure that out , I have used RO and Brewers Friend water calcs in the past but brewing small 3 gal. batches I’m never sure how much of what to use to get flavors dialed in ,,,, I’ve also used tap water with Camden tablets and brews seemed ok maybe a little Flat’ish , I’ve yet to send tap water in for a test so I’m not sure what’s in it but being in NM I would bet tap water is kinda hard .
Just tying to get this Centennial Blonde to a nice crisp, little more citrusy flavor ,,
Any suggestions ????
3 gallon batch problems : )
Here's what I might try. I don't have Crystal 10 from the original recipe, never seen it in my life. We have 20, 40, 60, 80, 120. Carapils should be about 3% of the recipe according to Breiss. I added a few gravity points because I don't want to use less than 1 oz of hops for the whole recipe. My AA% is of course also slightly different than the hops in the original recipe. I adjusted addition times, but my ibu is still a bit higher, at least what the software says. (Has not been my experience with these tiny additions) The original recipe has a bu:gu of .537 (21.5/40), this one is .611 (26.3/43). Again, at least according to software. A bit more, but I think 5 gallon to 3 gallon recipe conversions don't always scale exactly, especially some hop additions.
**Note, I do all my 3 gallon recipes as 3.5 gallons, collect 4 gallons to the kettle, boil down to 3.5, 3.5 into fermenter so that I actually get 3 gallons of finished beer at the end after losses.
This is probably the best I can do without going to .12 oz or .17 oz additions or other such silliness - which haven't worked for me in the past in 3 gallon recipes.
[Edit - I also adjust my water chemistry. But I have not included any of that here, as it is unique to each person. I typically add an ounce or 2 of acidulated malt to the recipe to adjust mash ph. And my water is very low in sulfates so I typically need to add gypsum - and more for hoppy beers.]
02 - Centennial Blonde
18-A Blonde Ale
Size: 3.5 gal
Efficiency: 80.0%
Attenuation: 75.0%
Calories: 143.32 kcal per 12.0 fl oz
Original Gravity: 1.043 (1.038 - 1.054)
Terminal Gravity: 1.011 (1.008 - 1.013)
Color: 4.31 SRM (3.0 - 6.0)
Alcohol: 4.24% (3.8% - 5.5%)
Bitterness: 26.3 (15.0 - 28.0)
Ingredients:
4.5 lb (82.8%) 2-Row Brewers Malt
.5 lb (9.2%) Vienna Malt
.25 lb (4.6%) Crystal Malt 20°L
3 oz (3.4%) Cara-Pils® Malt
.25 oz (25.0%) Centennial (9.9%) - 45 m
.25 oz (25.0%) Centennial (9.9%) - 25 m
.25 oz (25.0%) Cascade (6.4%) - 15 m
.25 oz (25.0%) Cascade (6.4%) - 1 m
1.0 ea Wyeast 1056 American Ale™
Results generated by BeerTools Pro 2.0.24