Had a great time at hopmadness, despite my logistical problems Hopefully things will go better for BREWINGMAN! I brewed up a Ballantine IPA clone from what I remember of the color, palate, and aroma. Also did some research on the historical aspects, and decided on a grain bill of 20 lbs gambrinus pale, 1 lb each of aromatic, biscuit, british crystal, and torrified wheat. Mashed all 24 lbs in 24 qts of 170'F water to hit 152'F mash temp. After 70 minutes, I vorlaufed for 40 minutes, and began lautering. The runoff was sparkling clear, and quite flavorful-- color was amber, and my sparge water was 169'F at the grain bed. Began the boil when I collected 3~4 gallons, and was at a full rolling boil by the time sparging and lautering was finished. Preboil OG was 1.054 at 13.5 gallons, and after 30 minutes, I added 6 ounces of 8.5% AAU Northern Brewer hops (closest thing I could find to bullion, the original bittering hops) and boiled for 90 minutes. Added 2 ounces of Goldings hops each at 20, 7 and 0 minutes left in the boil. Hit 10 gallons exactly at a healthy 1.072 OG, pitched the US 05 double pack when the wort was at 65'F. Woke up this morning to the beer hissing quite nicely, and temperature was still at 65'F. Hopefully this will make a nice Ballantine IPA clone as it was before Pabst screwed up the recipe. After fermentation, I'll oak the secondary just like the original -- I'm thinking of 2 oz each carboy of medium toasted French oak for two months and wait'n'see what happens I'll be looking forward to seeing some of you again 9/22-23 for BrewingMan at MaryHill Park where I'll be brewing up a Pictish Scottish Wee Heavy seasoned with a pound of heather tips, and 4 oz of Wormwood and a single oz of woodruff for aroma...
Prost, Cheers, and Slainte!
Michel
