Summer Ale
Home Brewing Recipes
Baker Street Ales Associate Brewer
Arny Lands
Beer Nexus
the crossroads of the beer world

Now that the heat of summer is in full swing it is time to brew a
nice light but tasty session style ale. One you can drink a few of
and  enjoy at a picnic or party.   

Don't go too overboard with the hops, as the light maltiness
won't make for a good balance. However if it's light you can still
give it some great flavor and color.  You could add 1/3 lb of
roasted or chocalte malt during the steep of the crystal malt for a
darker hue and slightly maltier flavor.

Before we begin please refer to my
Belgian Tripel recipe for tips
on the sanitization of your equipment and later fermenting and
bottling.


Ingredients: 6.6-7 lbs extra light malt extract (canned)
                              1/3 lb crushed crystal malt
                              1 lb honey
                              2 oz East Kent Golding Hops
                              1.5 oz Cascade Hops
                              English Style Ale yeast

1) Add the crushed crystal malt into a grain bag and tie closed.

2) Place in a brewpot with two gallons of water and heat to
158  degrees F.

3) Place a lid on the brewpot and stirring occasionally keep the
temperature above 150 for about 30 minutes.

4) Remove the grain bag, allow it to drain a bit but don't squeeze
the bag. Bits of malt will get through and give your beer an off
flavor. The loss of water will be negligable.

5) Now bring the brewpot to a boil and stir in your canned extract
and your honey.

6) After stirring well add 1.5 oz East Kent Golding and 1 oz
Cascade hops and allow to boil 45 minutes stirring occasionally.
Avoid a boil over ! If it looks like it is going to boil over you need
to remove the brewpot from the heat source, stir it up and then
put it back on the stove. Don't panic it happens often when you
add hops.

7) Now add the remaining 1/2 oz of East Kent Goldings and boil
ten minutes longer.

8) Cool the wort to 65 degrees or so and add to the 3.5 gallons of
water in the fermenter.

9) Pitch the yeast as per manufacturers instructions and place an
airlock on the top. Aerate (shake) the fermenter (keep airlock on)
to aid the yeasts growth.

10) When primary fermentation ceases ( when the foaming dies
down)  you should rack the beer into a sanitized carboy. But
before you do this place the 1/2 oz of cascade hops you have
leftover to the clean carboy for dry hopping.

11) Ferment, Prime and Bottle as usual (remember consult my
Belgian Tripel recipe in the archives for instructions).

  Have fun sharing your great homebrewed summer ale
   with your friends and family. Have a great summer!!

       Good Brewing and Cheers!

                    Arny Lands
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