Beer Forum

The Nelson Sauvin hops that I acquired a few months back have finally burned a hole in my pocket so here is the plan: A soft pale ale with a New Zealand hop flair. Im thinking sessionable, but with a touch of mouthfeel and a pretty significant taste.

OG: 1.050
FG: 1.010
SRM: 4.3
IBU: 25
ABV: 5.2%

6.00 Gallons
72% Eff
90 Min Mash at 147
90 Min Boil

5 lbs 04 oz - Castle Belgian Pils (45.7%)
3 lbs 04 oz - Briess White Wheat (28.3%)
2 lbs 08 oz - Castle Belgian Pale (21.7%)
0 lbs 08 oz - Simpsons Golden Naked Oats (4.3%)

0.250 oz - Pacific Jade - FWH
0.750 oz - Nelson Sauvin 10 Mins
0.250 oz - Pacific Jade 10 Mins
0.500 oz - Nelson Sauvin 0 Mins
0.500 oz - Pacific Jade 0 Mins

White Labs WLP009 - Australian Ale

I bought a pound myself and have been experimenting a bit...I have done a single hop steam beer that was JZ's cal common recipe single hopped with all nelson (named full nelson)...It turned out excellent...the hops are very fruity and tropical...very good...I just kegged up the same beer split 50/50 with nelson and sorachi ace...early tastings are very good...still fruity but more grassy from the sorachi...these are excellent hops...I can't wait to try an IPA with them...hope this helps

also...I noticed you are only at about 20 something IBU's...thats not very much for a pale ale...my steam beers have been running around 40-45 IBU's and are just right IMO...just something to look at

EL TIZZO wrote:also...I noticed you are only at about 20 something IBU's...thats not very much for a pale ale...my steam beers have been running around 40-45 IBU's and are just right IMO...just something to look at

I have it calculated at 25. I like to split the difference between Rager and Tinseth. I like my pale ales to be fairly mild with hop character and Im specifically designing this one to be so. If Im making a "normal" Pale at 1.050 Id probably hit it at 40 IBU's. Im gunning for a smooth, blanaced, easy drinker with lots of flavor.

...actually...you just convinced me to bump it to 30.

I like the way you talk...the nelsons are a very mild hop...lots of flavor but not very bitter if you put them in the late additions

EL TIZZO wrote:I like the way you talk...the nelsons are a very mild hop...lots of flavor but not very bitter if you put them in the late additions

I hear you...lol. My minds eye wants a pale ale that would drink well sitting on a white sand, clear water Carribbean beach. Lots of flavor but soft and smooth.

El Tizzo, how is your Lulu's Peche Delirant tasting? This sounds remarkable. I also see you are fermenting out a Flanders Red. Im going to be doing a Flanders soon where Im going to use post boil Lacto only fermentation before pitching my Saccro.

You know, I really dont care for this beer. Even conservative usage of this hop imparts remarkable levels of flavor. The extreme fruity nature of this hop, in my mind, doesn't blend well with a blonde ale. The malt nature of the beer is very good, I just don't care for the blend of fruity hop and style in this beer.