Strike Team Chanukah Altbier NHC06

Category 7: Amber Hybrid Beer

Gold Medal NHC 2006

Sponsored by: Meussdoerffer c/o Cargill Malt

Scott Miglin, Mt Vernon, Ohio, Northern German Altbier

"Strike Team Chanukah Altbier"

Northern German Altbier

Ingredients for 5 U.S. gallons (19 liters)

2.75     lb (1.25 kg) Munton's amber dry malt extract

3.0       lb (1.36 kg) Munton's dark dry malt extract

1.0       lb (0.45 kg) 60° L caramel malt

2.0       lb (0.9 kg) dextrin malt

1.0       oz (28 g) Yakima Magnum pellet hops, 13.5% alpha acid (60 min.)

1.0       oz (28 g) Columbus pellet hops, 14.3% alpha acid (5 min.)

1.0       qt (0.94 L) Wyeast No. 1007 German ale yeast starter

0.66     cup corn sugar (to prime)

Original Specific Gravity: 1.058

Final Specific Gravity: 1.020

Boiling Time: 60 minutes

Primary Fermentation: 5 days at 65° F (18° C) in glass

Secondary Fermentation: 27 days at 30 to 35° F (-1 to 2° C) in glass

Directions

Steep grains at 150° F (66° C) for 30 minutes. Remove grains, add extract and proceed with boil.

Judges' Comments

"Chocolate roastiness is a touch bigger than I wanted. Very easy to drink and enjoyable. To bring it into style more, reduce the chocolate. Also hopping would be enhanced more if it tasted German."

"Very drinkable beer. Good balance of hop to malt. I'd prefer a bit more maltiness and doing so could enhance beer within style guidelines."