Janet's Brown Ale NHC 2009

Category 23: Specialty Beer
Sponsored by The Beverage People

2009 AHA National Homebrew Competition Gold Medal
Mike McDole, Clayton, Calif., Specialty Beer, Diablo Order of Zymiracle Enthusiasts (DOZE)

“Janet’s Brown Ale”

Imperial American Brown Ale

Ingredients for 12 U.S. gallons (45.42 liters)

27.5 lb            (12.47 kg) pale malt

3.0 lb             (1.36 kg) dextrin malt

2.5 lb             (1.13 kg) 40L crystal malt

2.0 lb             (0.9 kg) wheat malt

1.0 lb             (0.45 kg) 350L chocolate malt

1.0 lb             (0.45 kg) corn sugar

3.0 oz             (85 g) US Northern Brewer pellet hops, 5.1% alpha acid (mash)

3.0 oz             (85 g) US Northern Brewer pellet hops, 5.1% alpha acid (60 min)

2.0 oz             (57 g) US Northern Brewer pellet hops, 5.1% alpha acid (15 min)

3.0 oz             (85 g) Cascade pellet hops, 5.6% alpha acid (10 min)

4.0 oz             (113g) Cascade whole hops, 5.8% alpha acid (0 min, hopback)

4.0 oz             (113g) Centennial pellet hops, 10.5% alpha acid (dry hop)

                        White Labs WLP001, 4000ml starter

2.4 vol              forced CO2 to carbonate

Original Specific Gravity: 1.074

Final Specific Gravity: 1.018

Boil Time: 90 minutes

Primary Fermentation: 7 days at 68° F (20° C)

Secondary Fermentation: 9 days at 70° F (21° C)

Directions

Mash grains at 154° F (68° C) for 30 minutes. Raise to 170° F (77° C) and hold for 15 minutes. Sparge at 170° F (77° C) for 45 minutes. Dry hop in secondary for 7 days. Water profile: Ca 110.0 ppm, Mg 18.0 ppm, Na 17.0 ppm, SO4 350.0 ppm, Cl 50.0 ppm. Cold conditioned six weeks. Filtered to 7 microns.

Judges’ Comments

“Excellent choice of hops. Not overly hopped. Very drinkable!”

Runners-Up

Silver Medal: Steven Jayich, Anchorage, AK, Rye IPA, Great Northern Brewers Club. Bronze Medal: Mark Schoppe, Austin, TX, Imperial Rauchbier, Austin Zealots