National Homebrew Club Ireland

General Discussions => Brewing Communities => Lee Valley Brewing Club => Topic started by: Komodo021 on April 28, 2014, 06:53:46 PM

Title: Small Beer Competition Update
Post by: Komodo021 on April 28, 2014, 06:53:46 PM
Hey Lads, just thought i'd give an update on my entry for the small beer competition...
I brewed and All Day Breakfast Stout and transferred it on to some coffee today...
It's finished up at 3.7%

(https://scontent-a-ams.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/t1.0-9/p403x403/10308214_564463516985793_971341134999645186_n.jpg)
Title: Re: Small Beer Competition Update
Post by: Cambrinus on April 29, 2014, 10:10:57 PM
I did a wheat n' rye summer ale last weekend. Ferment is more or less complete. Will move it to secondary for some dry hop next week some time. Should finish at about 2.5%. Hope it will be ready before end if may. Fingers x.
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/30/6u3a8ahe.jpg)
Title: Re: Small Beer Competition Update
Post by: Komodo021 on April 29, 2014, 11:03:15 PM
Nice one.. that sounds awesome.. she looks like she's flashing there ;)
Title: Re: Small Beer Competition Update
Post by: iBrau on April 30, 2014, 11:01:22 AM
Nice pics guys. I like the look of those glass carboys, where did ye get them from?

I only put together my raspberry wheat beer last night, so I'm really cutting it tight time-wise! I'm fermenting hot though at 24C to bring out the banana character in the yeast I'm using (WB-06) so it should be a fairly quick ferment.

I was a little short of raspberry so ended up adding some blackberries and orange zest in there. Not sure how they will ferment out, so I could end up around the 4% ABV. I could be watering down this thing yet!  :)
Title: Small Beer Competition Update
Post by: Cambrinus on April 30, 2014, 08:18:19 PM
I got the carboys from the Homebrew Company a while back. They're great but can be a pain to clean.
Berry and Orange wheat, should be good! Would nearly be a shame to water it down!
Title: Re: Small Beer Competition Update
Post by: Garry on April 30, 2014, 08:26:38 PM
Just remember fellas, if you're bottle conditioning, that will add about 0.5% to the abv.

@Cambrinus, what did you add for body? You tried my 2.5% what beer; it's watery as f#ck  :(
Title: Re: Small Beer Competition Update
Post by: Cambrinus on April 30, 2014, 08:30:20 PM
@Garry Rye!. Half the grist was flaked rye. Murder to sparge but it did eventually. 
Title: Re: Small Beer Competition Update
Post by: Garry on April 30, 2014, 08:38:45 PM
Cool, i must read up on rye  ;D
Title: Re: Small Beer Competition Update
Post by: Komodo021 on May 01, 2014, 12:47:56 AM
Quote from: iBrau on April 30, 2014, 11:01:22 AM
Nice pics guys. I like the look of those glass carboys, where did ye get them from?

I only put together my raspberry wheat beer last night, so I'm really cutting it tight time-wise! I'm fermenting hot though at 24C to bring out the banana character in the yeast I'm using (WB-06) so it should be a fairly quick ferment.

I was a little short of raspberry so ended up adding some blackberries and orange zest in there. Not sure how they will ferment out, so I could end up around the 4% ABV. I could be watering down this thing yet!  :)

That sounds awesome Vince.. sounds like a great summer beer
Title: Re: Small Beer Competition Update
Post by: Cambrinus on May 03, 2014, 12:18:30 PM
Just moved this to secondary for some dry hops.

She is at 1.008, 2.2%ABV at the moment. Might drop a point or 2 over the next week or so.

Taste is not bad at all. Very light. Enough body but difficult to tell without carbonation.

Very pale in colour, very cloudy. But I wouldn't expect a clear beer with half the grist being flaked rye.




Title: Re: Small Beer Competition Update
Post by: Cambrinus on May 03, 2014, 12:21:59 PM
If I were to enter this in the Small Beer Competition, what are the rules on bottling/ labeling etc.?

Asked before no doubt, probably missed a link in the forum somewhere ...

Title: Re: Small Beer Competition Update
Post by: Garry on May 03, 2014, 12:28:34 PM
2 no plain brown 500ml bottles.  Plain caps. I think 500ml flip tops are OK if they have no markings on the cap or bottle.
Title: Re: Small Beer Competition Update
Post by: Cambrinus on May 03, 2014, 12:35:24 PM
Can the tops be coloured?
Title: Re: Small Beer Competition Update
Post by: Garry on May 03, 2014, 12:38:22 PM
Once they're plain (no writing) they should be fine. Pick the must conservative colour you have :P
Title: Re: Small Beer Competition Update
Post by: Cambrinus on May 03, 2014, 01:14:14 PM
Cheers Garry!