Homebrew Crisp Best Bitter

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

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

BASICS

BATCH SIZE FERMENTER	25 l
BATCH SIZE BOIL:	27.75 l
ORIGINAL GRAVITY:	1043 SG
FINAL GRAVITY:	1009 SG
IBUs:	26
COLOUR (EBC/SRM):	21 / 11
BREWHOUSE EFFICIENCY:	80%

METHODS / TIMINGS

TEMPERATURES
MASH TEMP:	66°C / 151°F
FERMENTATION TEMP:	66°C / 151°F
TARGET ATTENUATION	81.0%
MASH LIQUOR VOL (LITRES):	12.3
LIQUOR / MASH RATIO:	2.7 : 1
TIMINGS
MASH:	60 mins
BOIL:	60 mins
STAND:	30 mins

INGREDIENTS

MALTS	(kg)	%
BEST ALE	3.80	85
CRYSTAL 150	0.35	7
AMBER	0.20	4
CARA MALT	0.19	3.5
ROAST BARLEY	0.02	0.5

YEAST
WINDSOR ALE

HOPS	(g)	Contribution%	Alpha Acid%	Addition
ADMIRAL	6.5	30	15	Start of boil
BRAMLING CROSS	13	30	7.5	Middle
ENDEAVOUR	8.67	20	7.5	Flame out
KEYWORTHS MID-SEASON	8.67	20	7.5	Flame out

HOPS

(g)

6.5

Contribution%

Alpha Acid%

Addition

Start of boil

(g)

Contribution%

Alpha Acid%

7.5

Addition

Middle

(g)

8.67

Contribution%

Alpha Acid%

7.5

Addition

Flame out

(g)

8.67

Contribution%

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.

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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 colour and balanced sweet, malt flavour which is ideally suited to ale brewing.

Find out more about our Best Ale Malt here.

Light Crystal 150

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 150 Malt here.

Amber Malt

This is the palest malt made using a roasting technique. After conventional kilning, the malt is dry and pale in colour hence it is known as “white malt”. It is transferred to our Speciality Malt Plant and passes through the roasting column where the flavour is transformed through the application of heat. The temperatures used through the column determine the colour and flavour 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 more about our 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 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 Cara Malt Malt here.

Roast Barley

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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