I initially brewed this American Brown Ale for my Dad’s return from Iraq. It’s by far my hands-down favorite brew. With 10 gallons on tap I invited some friends over to try it, and 10 gallons goes fast. I managed to save some for my Dad, and all parties agreed it was one of the best I’d brewed.

I’m going to brew it again shortly, quite possibly for teach-a-friend-to-homebrew day down at Raccoon River.

Style: BJCP 10-D American Brown Ale Batch: 10 gallons ABV: ~5.5% OG: 1.055 IBU: 41

Grain Bill

Grain Amount %
2-row Pale Malt 18 lbs 86.7%
Crystal 80L 1 lb 4.8%
CaraPilsner 1 lb 4.8%
Chocolate Malt 0.5 lbs 2.4%
Roasted Barley 0.25 lbs 1.2%

Hops

Hop Form AA Amount Time
Northern Brewer Whole 9% 1.5 oz 75 min
Northern Brewer Whole 9% 0.5 oz 30 min
Cascade Whole 6.8% 1.5 oz 10 min
Cascade Whole 6.8% 0.5 oz Dry hop

Yeast and Extras

  • Wyeast 1187 Ringwood Ale (or White Labs WLP007 Dry English Ale)
  • 0.1 oz Irish Moss at 15 min

Mash

Single step. Saccharification at 155°F for 60 minutes, mash-out at 167°F for 5 minutes, sparge at 170°F.

Fermentation

  • Primary: 1 week at 65-70°F
  • Secondary: 1 week at 65°F
  • Lager: 2 weeks at 55°F with 0.5 oz Cascade dry hop

This one I’ll keep brewing.