Ben Franklin's Ale Colonial Stock Ale With Molases And Spruce Tips NHC08

Category 23: Specialty Beer

2008 AHA National Homebrew Competition Gold Medal

Sponsored by The Beverage People
Gordon Strong, Beavercreek, OH, Specialty Beer, Saint Paul Homebrewers Club

2008 Ninkasi Award Winner

"Ben Franklin's Ale"
Colonial Stock Ale with Molasses and Spruce Tips

Ingredients for 6 U.S. gallons (22.71 liters)

10.0    lb (4.54 kg) Munton & Fison Maris Otter malt
3.0       lb (1.36 kg) flaked maize
1.0       lb (0.45 kg) Durst Vienna malt
1.0       lb (0.45 kg) Dingeman Caramel Vienna malt
1.0       lb (0.45 kg) Weyermann Rauchmalz
1.5       lb (0.68 kg) biscuit malt
2.0       oz (57 g) Crisp chocolate malt
2.0       oz (57 g) Special B malt
1.0       quart (0.95 L) fresh Colorado blue spruce tips  60 min.
4.0       oz (113 g) light (normal) molasses 15 min.
1.0       Tbsp (15 g) blackstrap molasses 15 min.
0.5       oz (14 g) Simcoe whole hops, 12% alpha acid 60 min.
0.5       oz (14 g) Amarillo pellet hops, 7% alpha acid 10 min.
0.5       oz 14 g) Simcoe whole hops, 12% alpha acid (5 min.
0.5       oz (14 g) Amarillo pellet hops, 7% alpha acid 0 min.
White Labs WLP002 English ale yeast

Original Specific Gravity: 1.070

Final Specific Gravity: 1.010

Boiling Time: 90 minutes

Primary Fermentation: 72° F (22°C)

Aged for 2 years before it was entered.

Directions

Mash grains at 154° F (68° C) until converted.

Judges' Comments

"Very nice balance of malt, hops and spruce tip flavors. Deeply fruity. Very clean finish. Nicely put together!"

"Has a nice, sweet flavor, yet finishes dry. Flavors blend. This is pretty well done-the spruce shows itself without dominating."

"Spruce adds a strong fruity complexity. Very strong bitterness. I really enjoyed this beer."