A simple single-hop beer to play with Saaz hops.  Adapted from homebrewtalk.com

 Brewer’s Notes

After playing with some other hops, I decided I wanted something simple, so I looked for an interesting single-hop recipe.  I found this one on Homebrewtalk.com.

The brew was uneventful. Flameout hops were added at 11:40a, at the end of the boil, and out at 11:55a, at 106F. Tried a new sparge method of putting grains in a suspended collander and pouring water overtop. A large amount of water was lost to the grains, kettle volume about 3gal. At end of session, beer is light straw, near lager, color. Very high suspended content amount. Mostly malt aroma with very light, fruity hops. Flavor is very watery and very bitter.  Long-lasting bitter flavor on finish. Low body, malt sweetness at start of taste.

OG: 1.052 @ 71F, target 1.056
FG:  1.009@ 64F, target 1.015

Fermenting Notes

Primary

2/28/2013 1.010 @64F

Very vigorous fermentation for first 3 days, then settled quickly. Had to clean airlock multiple times, then it clogged and blew off the fermenter – beer on the ceiling. Hazy wheat color, yeasty aroma – banana? Still very bitter. Citrus flavors, orange and grapefruit.  Tart. Flavor is fairly rounded, however very reminiscent of grapefruit juice.  Will let rest over the weekend and then transfer to secondary, then dry-hop. Hoping there is some balance as the beer dries a few more points.

Secondary

3/4/2013 1.010 @ 63F

Slight alcohol aroma. Grapefruit flavor is reducing, but present. Bitterness offset by malt a bit, will not need to sit in secondary long. Already very clear, should be a light IPA after the dry-hop addition.

3/15/2013 – Dry hopping with .75oz Saaz

3/18/2013 – 1.009 @ 64F

Racking to keg. Light flavor, Val says licorice, citrus. Pilsner-type aroma, mild hops. Cracker, wheat flavor? Bitterness is far more mellow with grapefruit on finish.

Tasting Notes

3/26/2013

Served at 50F after 7 days at ~16PSI. Still has light grapefruit character, some apple. Light mouthfeel. Gold color with some amber. Thin white head with good lacing. Dry finish with bitter aftertaste.  Tastes fairly sessionable, but a bit unbalanced on bitterness.

4/15/2013

Donated keg to TBSP banquet. All gone.

Recipe