Smithwicks Homebrew Challenge

[fishjam45 (Colin)]

Still nothing for me. Just aswell I ordered my own admiral last week and brewed last Friday. The clocks ticking ....

[johnrm]

It's poor form from Diageo,
I'd say they had way more interest than they were expecting and they can't get their hands on the hops.

[nigel_c]

At this stage I reckon I'll be a no go for a lot of people. Bad planning from the competition organisers will get a low turn out of beers far from their prime condition.

[fishjam45 (Colin)]

Yeah - if they are doing it next year maybe give us all some more notice and I'm sure some cracking beers will be turned out

[LordEoin]

Some more coverage here: http://www.irishmirror.ie/whats-on/food-drink-news/calling-homebrewers-you-take-part-6448091

and here: https://www.businessworld.ie/news/Smithwick-s-Homebrew-Challenge-launched-560830.html

[Bubbles]

The deadline is far too tight.

I was reading recently that beer can ferment in a much faster timeframe if fermented under pressure, which the majority of homebrewers wouldn't do. Also the sophisticated temperature control, filtering and force carbonation employed by large breweries probably gives them the expectation that good beer can be produced in a couple of weeks. If I was brewing a big beer for the nationals (certainly a winter warmer), I'd want minimum 10 weeks to get it to where I want it. But ideally:

Grow up yeast: 1 week
Ferment: 3-4 weeks
Carbonate/Bottle condition: 2 weeks
Age: 8-12 weeks

[Hingo]

Mine came this morning, vac packed n all,
I did my brew yesterday, got hops of Manu (the gent!) so if anyone needs some to get started I can help in the south/central Dublin area
Regardless of timelines, might be worth giving it a go and get it in young, worst case scenario you have a batch of beer to drink in November/December.

[brenmurph]

The deadline is far too tight.

I was reading recently that beer can ferment in a much faster timeframe if fermented under pressure, which the majority of homebrewers wouldn't do. Also the sophisticated temperature control, filtering and force carbonation employed by large breweries probably gives them the expectation that good beer can be produced in a couple of weeks. If I was brewing a big beer for the nationals (certainly a winter warmer), I'd want minimum 10 weeks to get it to where I want it. But ideally:

Grow up yeast: 1 week
Ferment: 3-4 weeks
Carbonate/Bottle condition: 2 weeks
Age: 8-12 weeks

Thats extreme to us!

Take 12g notty dry yeast from fridge 10 seconds
rehydrate as per instructions 15 minutes
ferment a 1.045 beer (4%ish) in 5 days
condition phases 1 week for ale

transfer and force carb 1 hour

if bottling, bottle condition 3-days to 1 week

age??...whats that....drink while fresh and tasty after it has been conditioned in line with good brewing processes

Thats about 3 weeks. Stronger ales 5-6% maybe an extra week

I think Diagio are generous with the timeline

[johnrm]

Bren, you're a man with a plan!

Phone call from SWMBO - Hops just arrived at home.

[Tom]

Not like you to play Devil's Advocate, Bren?

[Jonnycheech]

I brewed a red ale two weeks ago, nothing to do with aforementioned competition. Considering Admiral hops are required, what are peoples thoughts on dry-hopping with the Admiral? Obviously I wouldn't go crazy with the dry-hopping, just enough to impart some Admiral aroma.

I know it's not really to style but it gets around the requirements. Would fellow NHC members consider this cheating?   

[brenmurph]

well tom. ive seen at least a dozen posts referring to not enough time to brew.
the facts are as I stated. beer does not take 3 months to brew 3 weeks is more realistic and while Im well familiar with homebrewers leaving their beer to age / mature but often its not scientifically based. Good lagers can be made in 4 weeks easily. im confident commercials are going a lot quicker and craft brewers generally trying and failing at genuine crisp clean clear lagers.

Ales by their nature are arguably local everyday real ales and not meant to be aged. English bitter 10 days to 3 weeks tops lager 3 to 6 weeks...may get better with time...or may not

kellie is brewing her favorite beer tomorrow and has prepped her recipe over the last couple days. it will take 3 weeks and then we will keep it at 2c in our home made walk-in chiller ( cost 100 euros total)

So devils advocate I agree with you calling me that    but remember we are a brew club lets get positive and relaistic about timelines and theres plenty time for anyone to get an entry in on schedule.
I think this comp is great if we leave opinions aside about craft or commercial. I am not aligned to either...I am a homebrewer who shares our passion for real food real beer and social engagement...let the comp begin...plenty time

[fishjam45 (Colin)]

If you didn't use the hops that were originally outlined I'd call that cheating.

[brenmurph]

I brewed a red ale two weeks ago, nothing to do with aforementioned competition. Considering Admiral hops are required, what are peoples thoughts on dry-hopping with the Admiral? Obviously I wouldn't go crazy with the dry-hopping, just enough to impart some Admiral aroma.

I know it's not really to style but it gets around the requirements. Would fellow NHC members consider this cheating?   

There is no rule on how much admiral or when u add it!
u can add admiral, onions, cinnamon, treacle, beetroot, parsley, corn or apples in your beer...none of anyones business...no rheinheitsgebot in Ireland...go for it and enter...its free and u get a few hops.... nothing to lose

[irish_goat]

Fire the admiral in as a small dryhop. As long as there's some in the beer you're fulfilling the requirements.