Crisp Best Bitter

  • Toffee, caramel and raisin notes
  • ABV 4.4%
  • IBU 26
  • OG 1043 SG

The addition of Crystal Malts to a traditional English bitter started after World War One, and the best versions are served on cask. Our Best Bitter recipe uses Crystal 150 to provide toffee, caramel, and raisin notes balanced out by a smorgasbord of classic and modern English hops.

BASICS

BATCH SIZE (LITRES):

1630

BATCH SIZE (UK BARRELS):

10

ORIGINAL GRAVITY:

1043 SG

FINAL GRAVITY:

1009 SG

IBUs:

26

COLOUR (EBC/SRM):

21 / 11

BREWHOUSE EFFICIENCY:

85%

METHODS / TIMINGS

TEMPERATURES

MASH TEMP:

66°C / 151°F

COLLECTION TEMP:

18°C / 64°F

FERMENTATION TEMP:

23°C / 73°F

MASH LIQUOR VOL (LITRES):

756

LIQUOR / MASH RATIO:

2.7 : 1

TIMINGS

MASH:

60 mins

BOIL:

60 mins

INGREDIENTS

MALTS(kg)%

BEST ALE

233

85

CRYSTAL 150

21

7

AMBER

12

4

CARA

12

3.5

ROAST BARLEY

2

0.5

YEAST

WINDSOR ALE 

HOPS(g)Contribution%Alpha Acid%Addition

ADMIRAL

424

30

15

Start of boil

BRAMLING CROSS

848

30

7.5

Middle

ENDEAVOUR

565

20

7.5

Flame out

KEYWORTHS MID-SEASON

565

20

7.5

Flame out

HOPS

ADMIRAL

(g)

424

Contribution%

30

Alpha Acid%

15

Addition

Start of boil

BRAMLING CROSS

(g)

848

Contribution%

30

Alpha Acid%

7.5

Addition

Middle

ENDEAVOUR

(g)

565

Contribution%

20

Alpha Acid%

7.5

Addition

Flame out

KEYWORTHS MID-SEASON

(g)

565

Contribution%

20

Alpha Acid%

7.5

Addition

Flame out

Mike'S TOP TIP

The higher fermentation top temperature on this beer will encourage the yeast to produce fruity esters.

Brewing Malts used in this Recipe

Best Ale Malt

Our Best Ale Malt is the workhorse of many a brewery and is at home in a variety of beer styles. The 2-row winter barley varieties that go into our Best Ale have been planted in the light, sandy soils of North Norfolk. We source the lowest nitrogen barley from our farmers.

During malting, high cast moistures and a balance of optimal germination time and temperature results in an even, well modified malt with a rich color and balanced sweet, malt flavor, which is ideally suited to ale brewing.

Find out more about our Best Ale here.

Light Crystal 150

To make Light Crystal we increase the temperature further, and the endosperm darkens and flavors develop further. Think of Crystal Malts like you would make caramel at home. With Light Crystal the crystalised sugars present imparts an intense caramel flavor. Light Crystal will also impart a reddish hue to the beer. and it works very well in bitters and ruby beers. 

The number after the word Crystal refers to the EBC color of the malt if you mashed at 100% of the grain bill. To get a rough conversion to Lovibond, just divide by two. 

Find out more about Light Crystal 150 here.

Amber Malt

This is the palest malt made using a roasting technique. After conventional kilning, the malt is dry and pale in color; hence, it is known as “white malt.” It is transferred to our Specialty Malt Plant and passes through the roasting column, where the flavor is transformed through the application of heat. The temperatures used through the column determine the color and flavor of the roasted malt.

Amber Malt is typified by a dry, toasted biscuit finish and can add an amber hue to the beer.

Find out about Amber Malt here.

Cara Malt

Cara Malt is a very low colour Crystal Malt which has an almost completely glassy endosperm. It contains a greater degree of sweetness than Crystal Malt, and the harsher nutty roasted flavours are not present.

It greatly improves body, foam retention, and beer stability whilst adding a little color. It has, therefore, become very popular in the production of lagers, where it is used to assist in enhancing flavor and character. For this reason, it has also become a common constituent in low-alcohol beers.

Find out more about Cara Malt here.

Roast Barley

Roast Barley is our darkest brewing grain, and it is made from unmalted barley. The color produced can be almost opaque, and the flavor is similar to a dark, bitter roast coffee. In stouts, a combination of Chocolate Malt, Black Malt, and Roast Barley gives excellent complexity and balance.

Remember that these dark grains will have an acidifying effect on the mash, so ensure your salts have been adjusted adequately.

Find out more about Roast Barley here.

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