brēowanthorpe

The Homestead of Beer

American Brown Ale

By thomas #30 Minute Boil, #Ale, #Barley, #Beer, #British, #Brown Ale, #Evolution Series 2025, #Homebrew, #Hops, #One Gallon, #Sparge, #Water, #Westfort, #Yeast

Codename : Mountain Portage Brown Alethorpe (2025)

This is the New World adaptaion of the British Brown Ale, a continuation of my Evolution Series for this year. A little bit about the Brown ale,

More bitter and generally hoppier than English Brown Ales, with a richer malt presence, usually higher alcohol, and American or New World hop character.

https://www.bjcp.org/style/2021/19/19C/american-brown-ale/

Ingredients

  • 1 lb 8 oz 2 row malt (1.9L)
  • 3 oz biscuit malt (28L)
  • 2 oz chocolate malt (360L)
  • 1 oz caramel malt (120L)
  • 1 oz caramunich III (53L)
  • 1 oz pale chocolate malt (225L)
  • 1/4 Campden tablet when preparing strike water (optional)
  • 0.2 oz Lumberjack hops at 20 minutes
  • 0.2 oz Willlamette hops at 5 minutes
  • 1/4 tsp Irish Moss (optional) at 15 minutes
  • 3 ml Fermentis 05 dry ale yeast

Vital Stats

  • BJCP Style : American Brown Ale
  • Anticipated ABV : 5.3%
  • Anticipated IBU : 25
  • Anticipated SRM : 28
  • Pre-boil SG : 1.041
  • Post-boil SG : 1.053
  • Original SG : 1.053
  • Target SG : 1.013
  • Carbonation : 2.4
  • Water profile : American Brown Ale
  • Brewhouse (in)efficiency : 75%

Brew Day

  • Prepare 4.6L strike water at 158F.
  • Add the milled grains to the bag.
  • Place the bag in the hot water, set the timer for 90 minutes, and maintain the temperature at 158F.
  • It is acceptable if the temperature varies a little.
  • Stir occasionally.
  • With approximately 15 minutes remaining, heat 2L of sparge water to 170F.
  • Calibrate the refractometer, aka the sonic screwdriver.
  • Lift the bag out of the water, and allow it to drip into the pot. Every bit of sugar that can be extracted will benefit the end ABV.
  • Pour the sparge water over over the grain bag, this should help extract even more sugar
  • Bring up to a boil, 212F, set the timer for 30 minutes. Add hops, and Irish moss, as prescribed above.
  • Sanitise everything required for fermentation.
  • Cool to room temp, an ice-bath or a snowbank work effectively.
  • Prepare the yeast mixture.
  • Pitch the yeast to the carboy.
  • Transfer the wort to the carboy, splash the wort around to aerate the contents.
  • Put the airlock on the carboy.
  • Store in a cool dark place for primary fermentation for 7 days.

Bottling Day

Brew Notes

  • I added a little too much water, so the final ABV will be approximately 5%. Not worthy of being called a brew fail.
The brown ale will require approximately 7 days to ferment.

Brew day : 5-Jun-2025