Homebrew Crisp Session Bitter

  • Highly drinkable. Light caramel and fruity
  • ABV 3.7%
  • IBU 20
  • OG 1037 SG

Session bitters were designed to be highly drinkable with low ABV to slake the workers’ thirst. The Cara Malt adds body and also some fruit notes to the session homebrew beer recipe which is well supported by using a characterful British Ale yeast.

BASICS

BATCH SIZE FERMENTER:

25 l

BATCH SIZE BOIL:

27.75 l

ORIGINAL GRAVITY:

1037 SG

FINAL GRAVITY:

1008 SG

IBUs:

20

COLOUR (EBC/SRM):

16 / 8

BREWHOUSE EFFICIENCY:

80%

METHODS / TIMINGS

TEMPERATURES

MASH TEMP:

66°C / 151°F

FERMENTATION TEMP:

21°C / 70°F

TARGET ATTENUATION:

80%

MASH LIQUOR VOL (LITRES):

9.7

LIQUOR / MASH RATIO:

2.5 : 1

TIMINGS

MASH:

60 mins

BOIL:

60 mins

STAND:

30 mins

INGREDIENTS

MALTS(kg)%

BEST ALE

3.43

90

CRYSTAL 150

0.19

4.5

CARA MALT

0.23

5

ROAST BARLEY

0.02

0.5

YEAST

ENGLISH ALE

HOPS(g)Contribution%Alpha Acid%Addition

ADMIRAL

5.0

20

15

Start of boil

TARGET

9.5

40

10.5

Middle

FLYER

9.5

40

10.5

Flame out

HOPS

ADMIRAL

(g)

5.0

Contribution%

20

Alpha Acid%

15

Addition

Start of boil

TARGET

(g)

9.5

Contribution%

40

Alpha Acid%

10.5

Addition

Middle

FLYER

(g)

9.5

Contribution%

40

Alpha Acid%

10.5

Addition

Flame out

Mike'S TOP TIP

The combination of slightly higher mash temperature and Cara Malt will give this beer more body and depth.

Malts used in this Recipe

Light Crystal Malt

To make Light Crystal we increase the temperature further and the endosperm darkens and flavours develop further. Think of Crystal Malts like you would make caramel at home. With Light Crystal the crystalised sugars present imparts an intense caramel flavour. 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 colour 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 our Light Crystal 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 little colour. It has therefore, become very popular in the production of lagers where it is used to assist in enhancing flavour and character. For this reason it has also become a common constituent in low alcohol beers.

Find out more about our Cara Malt here.

Roast Barley Malt

Roast Barley is our darkest grain and it is made from unmalted barley. The colour produced can be almost opaque and the flavour is similar to a dark, bitter roast coffee. In stouts a combination of Chocolate, 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 our Roast Barley Malt here.

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