American Light Ale

This was the first ever beer created in the Dog's Butt Brewery.  It is a light ale with a very "hoppy" taste.  Best when enjoyed cold, and a perfect spring-time beverage.  This particular beer was made from a "recipe kit", which was purchased at a homebrew store.  Future efforts are crafted with more "fresh" ingredients.

Equipment Needs

1 - 6.5 Gallon Food Grade Plastic Pales for fermentor.
1 - 6.5 Gallon Food Grade Plastic Pale with spigot for bottling.
Airlock.
1 - 4+ Gallon stainless steel stock pot for brew-pot.
Food thermometer capable of measuring up to 220+ degrees.
3 way hydrometer.
3 feet of 3/4 inch plastic tubing.
Siphoning setup.
Long spoon.
45-50 12 oz. Crown Top bottles or equivalent.
45-50 Crown Top Bottle Caps.

Ingredients

1 Lb I.D. Carlson Spray-Dried Malt
3.3 Lb Munton's Extra Light Malt Extract.
1 Lb I.D. Carlson Rice Syrup Solids.
1 oz. I.D. Carlson Saaz Bittering Hops (Alpha Acid 4.5%)
1/4 oz. I.D. Carlson Saaz Finishing Hops (Alpha Acid 4.5%)
6 gr. Munton's Active Brewing Yeast
3/4 c. Corn Sugar

Procedure

  1. Boil 2 gallons of tap water.
  2. Add 1 Lb I.D. Carlson Spray-Dried Malt and 3.3 Lb. Munton's Extra Light Malt Extract.
  3. Bring to a boil again.
  4. Add Rice Syrup and Bittering Hops.
  5. Boil for 55 minutes.
  6. Add Finishing Hops.
  7. Boil an additional 5 minutes.
  8. Cool to below 80 degrees Fahrenheit, preferably closer to 70 degrees.
  9. Move to fermenting device and fill with cool water to 5 gallons.
  10. Observe gravity reading.  Original gravity should be 1.037-1.040 at 60 degrees.
  11. Pitch yeast and agitate for 2 minutes.
  12. Cover and allow to ferment at room temperature for 1-2 weeks.
  13. When no bubbles are observed in the airlock, remove cover and observe a gravity reading.  Final gravity should be 1.007-1.010 at 60 degrees.
  14. Boil 2 cups of water with 3/4 c. Corn Sugar.
  15. Add corn sugar mixture to bottling bucket.
  16. Siphon beer into bottling bucket with corn sugar.
  17. Bottle.
  18. Keep bottles at room temperature for 1 week then move to cooler place for at least 1 more week.
  19. Enjoy your beer.

Results

This beer turned out pretty well.  It is very light and quite "hoppy" as the recipe claims.  It is quite refreshing and not too high in alcohol content.  It would work well as a spring or early summer beer.  After 2 weeks in the bottle it tasted quite good, but after 6 weeks in the bottle it had mellowed considerably and tasted wonderful.