Aprihop

I had a dram of Apricot Lorann candy oil lying around and wanted to experiment.  So, I decided to try something akin to DFH's Aprihop.  I used my two-tier 3 kettle e-HERMS system with a single batch sparge and hit my target numbers pretty spot on, getting into the 80s for efficiency for the first time.  I have never chased efficiency, but it was nice to see I could go higher if I really wanted to.  I struggled with lower efficiency when I first began all-grain brewing and it is nice to see I have stabilized my system and can get easily repeatable results, which has always been my goal.  This beer has needed a lot of conditioning and is finally presentable 4 months later.  I'm not sure I would make this one again.

Update (11/21)-This beer is finally coming into its own.  The apricot cuts the hop bitterness very nicely and lends a good aroma.  It took some time, but this beer now works and I would not be shy to serve it to anyone.

Grains:

9.75# 2-Row

3.00# Munich I

1.00# Caramel Pils

0.75# c-10

0.50# Wheat

mash 151

Additions:

75 min boil

0.50ozs. Magnum FWH

0.50ozs. Columbus 30

1.00ozs. Amarillo 15

0.50ozs. Columbus 10

1.00ozs. Columbus dry hop

1 dram Apricot Lorann candy oil at pitching

s-05 at 68

OG 1064

fg 1012

Mosher's Ideal Pale Ale

Water Adjustments (tsp)

.587 Epsom Salt

.066 Chalk

4.407 Gypsum

Ca=120

SO4=269

Mg=19

Na=27

Cl=70

Carb=65

Hard=377

Alk=57

Big Eye India Pale Ale

I had the desire to brew something on the 4th of July and wanted to have an IPA ready for late summer.  So, I decided to revisit a recipe that I had brewed a 3 gallon test batch with the year before.  My good friends at Ballast Point provided me with the below recipe, and it is one of the best IPAs that I brew.  I have great respect for the guys at Ballast Point and think they brew some of the best beer out there.  As evidenced by this recipe, simple is often better.  I used my two-tier 3 kettle e-HERMS system with a single batch sparge and hit all of my target numbers.  I have really dialed in my newly revamped system and love brewing with it.  However, I am not a fan of the big cleanup and the longer setup and breakdown of the 3 vessel system.  With smaller beers, I think I will go exclusively with my single vessel BIAB setup.  On tap this beer is fantastic, but I may modify my water adjustments when I brew it again.  I would go with my Vista, CA water profile instead of Mosher's ideal pale ale.  I am finding Mosher's slightly too bitter.

Grains

15.84# 2-row

.72# c-40

.72# carapils

.72# victory

Mash 151

Additions

1.5 oz columbus  at 60

.5 oz columbus at 10

2 oz centennial 10 day dry hop

s-05 ferment at 66      

OG 1068
fg 1010

Mosher's Ideal Pale Ale

Water Adjustments (tsp)

.587 Epsom Salt

.066 Chalk

4.407 Gypsum

Ca=120

SO4=269

Mg=19

Na=27

Cl=70

Carb=65

Hard=377

Alk=57