This beer is called Halloween ESB for no reason other than I wrote it up October 31st 2012. This’ll be my second attempt on ESB since the first involving leaf hops was a bit of a disaster. I really enjoy this Bramling Cross hop I recently came across.
How It Actually Went
Mashed in and hit my mash temperature. The only difference to the below is I acidified my mash water with 1 teaspoon lactic acid for 6 gallons of water prepared for mash. Mash went perfectly. Running off went not so much well as I tried using a 3/8 inch host to avoid hot side aeration. The run off went a little too fast I believe as the efficiency was very bad come 7 gallons. However the runnings were still coming at about 1.020 so I took about an extra half gallon ending up with 1.045 wort at 7.5 gallons which hopefully should give me a good product. I boiled it down to about 1.057 which isn’t far off target. The boil additions were made at the appropriate times and the beer should turn out fine.
After 1 week in the primary I moved the beer to the secondary and dry hopped with 1 ounce of Bramling Cross and 1 ounce of East Kent Golding. The gravity was 1.017 and it tastes pretty good. A Earthy, slightly spicy and somewhat fruity character. Slight hints of citrus.
The Original Plan
Name: Halloween ESB
Description: Strike water will be 162F with 21 quarts. 6 gallons mash water will be modified with 1/3 tsp calcium chloride, 1/2 tsp gypsum, 1/4 tsp epson salts. acidify mash water prior to use to hit ph. use whirfloc in boil. pre-boil gravity should be 1.050
Post Boil Volume: 6.00
Pre Boil Volume: 7.00
Mash Time: 60.00
Boil Time: 60.00
Desired Original Gravity: 1.06
Desired Final Gravity: 1.015
Calculated Likely ABV% Based on Specified Gravities: 5.890
Users Targeted ABV%: 5.000
Desired CO2 Volumes: 2
Anticipated Brewhouse Efficiency: 68
Likely Original Gravity at 6.00 Based on Grains and Efficiency: @ 68% = 345 GU = 1.058
Grain: Pale Malt, Maris Otter qty:3
Grain: Pale Malt (2 Row) UK qty:10
Grain: Caramel/Crystal Malt – 20L qty:0.5
Grain: Caramel/Crystal Malt -120L qty:0.25
Grain: Caramunich Malt qty:0.25
Hop : Bramling Cross qty:1 at:0 mins. AA=6.00
Hop : Bramling Cross qty:1 at:15 mins. AA=6.00
Hop : Goldings, East Kent qty:1 at:0 mins. AA=5.00
Hop : Goldings, East Kent qty:1 at:5 mins. AA=5.00
Hop : Brewer’s Gold qty:1 at:0 mins. AA=8.00
Hop : Northern Brewer qty:1 at:45 mins. AA=8.50
Yeast: Burton Ale qty:1 Max temp: 73.0 Min temp: 68.0
Style Name: Extra Special/Strong Bitter (English Pale Ale) (English Pale Ale)
Halloween ESB Pocket Brewer XML Code»
<?xml version=”1.0″ encoding=”utf-16″?>
<RecipeClass>
<BREWER>Pocket Brewer</BREWER>
<Type>All Grain</Type>
<VERSION>1</VERSION>
<OriginalGravity>1.06</OriginalGravity>
<OriginalGravityImportExport>1.06</OriginalGravityImportExport>
<FinalGravityImportExport>1.015</FinalGravityImportExport>
<FinalGravity>1.015</FinalGravity>
<BatchSize>6</BatchSize>
<BatchSizeImportExport>6</BatchSizeImportExport>
<BoilVolumeSize>7</BoilVolumeSize>
<BoilVolumeSizeImportExport>7</BoilVolumeSizeImportExport>
<CO2Volumes>2</CO2Volumes>
<BoilTime>60</BoilTime>
<MashTime>60</MashTime>
<TargetABV>5</TargetABV>
<BrewHouseEfficiency>68</BrewHouseEfficiency>
<Name>Halloween ESB</Name>
<Style />
<Description>Strike water will be 162F with 21 quarts. 6 gallons mash water will be modified with 1/3 tsp calcium chloride, 1/2 tsp gypsum, 1/4 tsp epson salts. acidify mash water prior to use to hit ph. use whirfloc in boil. pre-boil gravity should be 1.050</Description>
<StyleIdExact>8C</StyleIdExact>
<StyleIdGeneral>8</StyleIdGeneral>
<Yeasts>
<YeastAdditionClass>
<Quantity>1</Quantity>
<Name>Burton Ale</Name>
<ProductID>WLP023</ProductID>
</YeastAdditionClass>
</Yeasts>
<Hops>
<HopAdditionClass>
<USE>Boil</USE>
<VERSION>1</VERSION>
<NOTES>Developed in 1927 from commercial Goldings and wild hop variety.</NOTES>
<QuantityIO>1</QuantityIO>
<Quantity>1</Quantity>
<QuantityText>1</QuantityText>
<Alpha>6.00</Alpha>
<AlphaText>6.00</AlphaText>
<TinsethIBUS>0</TinsethIBUS>
<IsWholeHop>false</IsWholeHop>
<TimeInMinutes>0</TimeInMinutes>
<TimeInMinutesText>0</TimeInMinutesText>
<Name>Bramling Cross</Name>
<Visible>Visible</Visible>
</HopAdditionClass>
<HopAdditionClass>
<USE>Boil</USE>
<VERSION>1</VERSION>
<NOTES>Developed in 1927 from commercial Goldings and wild hop variety.</NOTES>
<QuantityIO>1</QuantityIO>
<Quantity>1</Quantity>
<QuantityText>1</QuantityText>
<Alpha>6.00</Alpha>
<AlphaText>6.00</AlphaText>
<TinsethIBUS>8</TinsethIBUS>
<IsWholeHop>false</IsWholeHop>
<TimeInMinutes>15</TimeInMinutes>
<TimeInMinutesText>15</TimeInMinutesText>
<Name>Bramling Cross</Name>
<Visible>Visible</Visible>
</HopAdditionClass>
<HopAdditionClass>
<USE>Boil</USE>
<VERSION>1</VERSION>
<NOTES>Used For: General purpose hops for bittering/finishing all British Ales</NOTES>
<QuantityIO>1</QuantityIO>
<Quantity>1</Quantity>
<QuantityText>1</QuantityText>
<Alpha>5.00</Alpha>
<AlphaText>5.00</AlphaText>
<TinsethIBUS>0</TinsethIBUS>
<IsWholeHop>false</IsWholeHop>
<TimeInMinutes>0</TimeInMinutes>
<TimeInMinutesText>0</TimeInMinutesText>
<Name>Goldings, East Kent</Name>
<Visible>Visible</Visible>
</HopAdditionClass>
<HopAdditionClass>
<USE>Boil</USE>
<VERSION>1</VERSION>
<NOTES>Used For: General purpose hops for bittering/finishing all British Ales</NOTES>
<QuantityIO>1</QuantityIO>
<Quantity>1</Quantity>
<QuantityText>1</QuantityText>
<Alpha>5.00</Alpha>
<AlphaText>5.00</AlphaText>
<TinsethIBUS>3</TinsethIBUS>
<IsWholeHop>false</IsWholeHop>
<TimeInMinutes>5</TimeInMinutes>
<TimeInMinutesText>5</TimeInMinutesText>
<Name>Goldings, East Kent</Name>
<Visible>Visible</Visible>
</HopAdditionClass>
<HopAdditionClass>
<USE>Boil</USE>
<VERSION>1</VERSION>
<NOTES>Traditional bittering hops for English ales and heavy German lagers.</NOTES>
<QuantityIO>1</QuantityIO>
<Quantity>1</Quantity>
<QuantityText>1</QuantityText>
<Alpha>8.00</Alpha>
<AlphaText>8.00</AlphaText>
<TinsethIBUS>0</TinsethIBUS>
<IsWholeHop>false</IsWholeHop>
<TimeInMinutes>0</TimeInMinutes>
<TimeInMinutesText>0</TimeInMinutesText>
<Name>Brewer’s Gold</Name>
<Visible>Visible</Visible>
</HopAdditionClass>
<HopAdditionClass>
<USE>Boil</USE>
<VERSION>1</VERSION>
<NOTES>Also called Hallertauer Northern Brewers</NOTES>
<QuantityIO>1</QuantityIO>
<Quantity>1</Quantity>
<QuantityText>1</QuantityText>
<Alpha>8.50</Alpha>
<AlphaText>8.50</AlphaText>
<TinsethIBUS>21</TinsethIBUS>
<IsWholeHop>false</IsWholeHop>
<TimeInMinutes>45</TimeInMinutes>
<TimeInMinutesText>45</TimeInMinutesText>
<Name>Northern Brewer</Name>
<Visible>Visible</Visible>
</HopAdditionClass>
</Hops>
<Grains>
<GrainAdditionClass>
<QuantityIO>3</QuantityIO>
<VERSION>1</VERSION>
<YIELD>82.50</YIELD>
<COLOR>3.0</COLOR>
<ORIGIN>United Kingdom</ORIGIN>
<SUPPLIER>Maris Otter</SUPPLIER>
<NOTES>Premium base malt from the UK. Popular for many English styles of beer including ales, pale ales and bitters.</NOTES>
<Quantity>3</Quantity>
<PotentialSpecificGravity>1.038</PotentialSpecificGravity>
<Type>Grain</Type>
<Name>Pale Malt, Maris Otter</Name>
</GrainAdditionClass>
<GrainAdditionClass>
<QuantityIO>10</QuantityIO>
<VERSION>1</VERSION>
<YIELD>78.00</YIELD>
<COLOR>3.0</COLOR>
<ORIGIN>United Kingdom</ORIGIN>
<SUPPLIER />
<NOTES />
<Quantity>10</Quantity>
<PotentialSpecificGravity>1.036</PotentialSpecificGravity>
<Type>Grain</Type>
<Name>Pale Malt (2 Row) UK</Name>
</GrainAdditionClass>
<GrainAdditionClass>
<QuantityIO>0.5</QuantityIO>
<VERSION>1</VERSION>
<YIELD>75.00</YIELD>
<COLOR>20.0</COLOR>
<ORIGIN>US</ORIGIN>
<SUPPLIER />
<NOTES />
<Quantity>0.5</Quantity>
<PotentialSpecificGravity>1.035</PotentialSpecificGravity>
<Type>Grain</Type>
<Name>Caramel/Crystal Malt – 20L</Name>
</GrainAdditionClass>
<GrainAdditionClass>
<QuantityIO>0.25</QuantityIO>
<VERSION>1</VERSION>
<YIELD>72.00</YIELD>
<COLOR>120.0</COLOR>
<ORIGIN>US</ORIGIN>
<SUPPLIER />
<NOTES />
<Quantity>0.25</Quantity>
<PotentialSpecificGravity>1.033</PotentialSpecificGravity>
<Type>Grain</Type>
<Name>Caramel/Crystal Malt -120L</Name>
</GrainAdditionClass>
<GrainAdditionClass>
<QuantityIO>0.25</QuantityIO>
<VERSION>1</VERSION>
<YIELD>71.70</YIELD>
<COLOR>56.0</COLOR>
<ORIGIN>Belgium</ORIGIN>
<SUPPLIER />
<NOTES>Caramel, copper colored malt. Used in Belgian ales and German bocks.</NOTES>
<Quantity>0.25</Quantity>
<PotentialSpecificGravity>1.033</PotentialSpecificGravity>
<Type>Grain</Type>
<Name>Caramunich Malt</Name>
</GrainAdditionClass>
</Grains>
<Adjuncts />
<MISCS />
<WATERS />
<MASH>
<MASH_STEPS />
<VERSION>0</VERSION>
<GRAIN_TEMP>0</GRAIN_TEMP>
<TUN_TEMP>0</TUN_TEMP>
<SPARGE_TEMP>0</SPARGE_TEMP>
<PH>0</PH>
<TUN_WEIGHT>0</TUN_WEIGHT>
<TUN_SPECIFIC_HEAT>0</TUN_SPECIFIC_HEAT>
</MASH>
<Id>4e459fa3-2544-4081-85d0-abbc55ed2552</Id>
<BrewHouse>
<Efficiency>68</Efficiency>
</BrewHouse>
</RecipeClass>
<?xml version=”1.0″ encoding=”utf-16″?>
<RECIPE>
<NAME>Halloween ESB</NAME>
<VERSION>1</VERSION>
<TYPE>All Grain</TYPE>
<NOTES>Strike water will be 162F with 21 quarts. 6 gallons mash water will be modified with 1/3 tsp calcium chloride, 1/2 tsp gypsum, 1/4 tsp epson salts. acidify mash water prior to use to hit ph. use whirfloc in boil. pre-boil gravity should be 1.050</NOTES>
<BREWER>Pocket Brewer</BREWER>
<BATCH_SIZE>22.7115</BATCH_SIZE>
<BOIL_TIME>60</BOIL_TIME>
<BOIL_SIZE>26.4968</BOIL_SIZE>
<EFFICIENCY>68</EFFICIENCY>
<FG>1.015</FG>
<OG>1.06</OG>
<CARBONATION>2</CARBONATION>
<HOPS>
<HOP>
<NAME>Bramling Cross</NAME>
<VERSION>1</VERSION>
<ALPHA>6.00</ALPHA>
<AMOUNT>0.0283</AMOUNT>
<USE>Boil</USE>
<TIME>0</TIME>
<NOTES>Developed in 1927 from commercial Goldings and wild hop variety.</NOTES>
</HOP>
<HOP>
<NAME>Bramling Cross</NAME>
<VERSION>1</VERSION>
<ALPHA>6.00</ALPHA>
<AMOUNT>0.0283</AMOUNT>
<USE>Boil</USE>
<TIME>15</TIME>
<NOTES>Developed in 1927 from commercial Goldings and wild hop variety.</NOTES>
</HOP>
<HOP>
<NAME>Goldings, East Kent</NAME>
<VERSION>1</VERSION>
<ALPHA>5.00</ALPHA>
<AMOUNT>0.0283</AMOUNT>
<USE>Boil</USE>
<TIME>0</TIME>
<NOTES>Used For: General purpose hops for bittering/finishing all British Ales</NOTES>
</HOP>
<HOP>
<NAME>Goldings, East Kent</NAME>
<VERSION>1</VERSION>
<ALPHA>5.00</ALPHA>
<AMOUNT>0.0283</AMOUNT>
<USE>Boil</USE>
<TIME>5</TIME>
<NOTES>Used For: General purpose hops for bittering/finishing all British Ales</NOTES>
</HOP>
<HOP>
<NAME>Brewer’s Gold</NAME>
<VERSION>1</VERSION>
<ALPHA>8.00</ALPHA>
<AMOUNT>0.0283</AMOUNT>
<USE>Boil</USE>
<TIME>0</TIME>
<NOTES>Traditional bittering hops for English ales and heavy German lagers.</NOTES>
</HOP>
<HOP>
<NAME>Northern Brewer</NAME>
<VERSION>1</VERSION>
<ALPHA>8.50</ALPHA>
<AMOUNT>0.0283</AMOUNT>
<USE>Boil</USE>
<TIME>45</TIME>
<NOTES>Also called Hallertauer Northern Brewers</NOTES>
</HOP>
</HOPS>
<FERMENTABLES>
<FERMENTABLE>
<NAME>Pale Malt, Maris Otter</NAME>
<VERSION>1</VERSION>
<AMOUNT>1.3608</AMOUNT>
<TYPE>Grain</TYPE>
<YIELD>82.50</YIELD>
<COLOR>3.0</COLOR>
<ORIGIN>United Kingdom</ORIGIN>
<SUPPLIER>Maris Otter</SUPPLIER>
<NOTES>Premium base malt from the UK. Popular for many English styles of beer including ales, pale ales and bitters.</NOTES>
<COARSE_FINE_DIFF>1.50</COARSE_FINE_DIFF>
<MOISTURE>3.00</MOISTURE>
<DISASTATIC_POWER>120.0</DISASTATIC_POWER>
<PROTEIN>11.70</PROTEIN>
<MAX_IN_BATCH>100.00</MAX_IN_BATCH>
<POTENTIAL>1.038</POTENTIAL>
</FERMENTABLE>
<FERMENTABLE>
<NAME>Pale Malt (2 Row) UK</NAME>
<VERSION>1</VERSION>
<AMOUNT>4.5359</AMOUNT>
<TYPE>Grain</TYPE>
<YIELD>78.00</YIELD>
<COLOR>3.0</COLOR>
<ORIGIN>United Kingdom</ORIGIN>
<SUPPLIER />
<NOTES />
<COARSE_FINE_DIFF>1.50</COARSE_FINE_DIFF>
<MOISTURE>4.00</MOISTURE>
<DISASTATIC_POWER>45.0</DISASTATIC_POWER>
<PROTEIN>10.10</PROTEIN>
<MAX_IN_BATCH>100.00</MAX_IN_BATCH>
<POTENTIAL>1.036</POTENTIAL>
</FERMENTABLE>
<FERMENTABLE>
<NAME>Caramel/Crystal Malt – 20L</NAME>
<VERSION>1</VERSION>
<AMOUNT>0.2268</AMOUNT>
<TYPE>Grain</TYPE>
<YIELD>75.00</YIELD>
<COLOR>20.0</COLOR>
<ORIGIN>US</ORIGIN>
<SUPPLIER />
<NOTES />
<COARSE_FINE_DIFF>1.50</COARSE_FINE_DIFF>
<MOISTURE>4.00</MOISTURE>
<DISASTATIC_POWER>0.0</DISASTATIC_POWER>
<PROTEIN>13.20</PROTEIN>
<MAX_IN_BATCH>20.00</MAX_IN_BATCH>
<POTENTIAL>1.035</POTENTIAL>
</FERMENTABLE>
<FERMENTABLE>
<NAME>Caramel/Crystal Malt -120L</NAME>
<VERSION>1</VERSION>
<AMOUNT>0.1134</AMOUNT>
<TYPE>Grain</TYPE>
<YIELD>72.00</YIELD>
<COLOR>120.0</COLOR>
<ORIGIN>US</ORIGIN>
<SUPPLIER />
<NOTES />
<COARSE_FINE_DIFF>1.50</COARSE_FINE_DIFF>
<MOISTURE>4.00</MOISTURE>
<DISASTATIC_POWER>0.0</DISASTATIC_POWER>
<PROTEIN>10.20</PROTEIN>
<MAX_IN_BATCH>20.00</MAX_IN_BATCH>
<POTENTIAL>1.033</POTENTIAL>
</FERMENTABLE>
<FERMENTABLE>
<NAME>Caramunich Malt</NAME>
<VERSION>1</VERSION>
<AMOUNT>0.1134</AMOUNT>
<TYPE>Grain</TYPE>
<YIELD>71.70</YIELD>
<COLOR>56.0</COLOR>
<ORIGIN>Belgium</ORIGIN>
<SUPPLIER />
<NOTES>Caramel, copper colored malt. Used in Belgian ales and German bocks.</NOTES>
<COARSE_FINE_DIFF>1.50</COARSE_FINE_DIFF>
<MOISTURE>4.00</MOISTURE>
<DISASTATIC_POWER>0.0</DISASTATIC_POWER>
<PROTEIN>0.00</PROTEIN>
<MAX_IN_BATCH>10.00</MAX_IN_BATCH>
<POTENTIAL>1.033</POTENTIAL>
</FERMENTABLE>
</FERMENTABLES>
<MISCS />
<WATERS />
<YEASTS>
<YEAST>
<NAME>Burton Ale</NAME>
<TYPE>Ale</TYPE>
<VERSION>0</VERSION>
<FORM>Liquid</FORM>
<AMOUNT>1</AMOUNT>
<LABORATORY>White Labs</LABORATORY>
<PRODUCT_ID>WLP023</PRODUCT_ID>
<MIN_TEMPERATURE>68.0</MIN_TEMPERATURE>
<MAX_TEMPERATURE>73.0</MAX_TEMPERATURE>
<ATTENUATION>72.00</ATTENUATION>
<NOTES>Burton-on-trent yeast produces a complex character. Flavors include apple, pear, and clover honey.</NOTES>
<BEST_FOR>All English styles including Pale Ale, IPA, Porter, Stout and Bitters.</BEST_FOR>
<FLOCCULATION>Medium</FLOCCULATION>
</YEAST>
</YEASTS>
<MASH>
<MASH_STEPS />
<VERSION>0</VERSION>
<GRAIN_TEMP>0</GRAIN_TEMP>
<TUN_TEMP>0</TUN_TEMP>
<SPARGE_TEMP>0</SPARGE_TEMP>
<PH>0</PH>
<TUN_WEIGHT>0</TUN_WEIGHT>
<TUN_SPECIFIC_HEAT>0</TUN_SPECIFIC_HEAT>
</MASH>
<STYLE>
<NAME>Extra Special/Strong Bitter (English Pale Ale)</NAME>
<CATEGORY>English Pale Ale</CATEGORY>
<CATEGORY_NUMBER>8</CATEGORY_NUMBER>
<STYLE_LETTER>C</STYLE_LETTER>
<STYLE_GUIDE>BJCP</STYLE_GUIDE>
<VERSION>1</VERSION>
<TYPE>Ale</TYPE>
<OG_MIN>1.048</OG_MIN>
<OG_MAX>1.060</OG_MAX>
<FG_MIN>1.010</FG_MIN>
<FG_MAX>1.016</FG_MAX>
<IBU_MIN>30</IBU_MIN>
<IBU_MAX>50</IBU_MAX>
<COLOR_MIN>6.0</COLOR_MIN>
<COLOR_MAX>18.0</COLOR_MAX>
<ABV_MIN>4.6</ABV_MIN>
<ABV_MAX>6.2</ABV_MAX>
<NOTES>More evident malt and hop flavors than in a special or best bitter. Stronger versions may overlap somewhat with old ales, although strong bitters will tend to be paler and more bitter. Fuller’s ESB is a unique beer with a very large, complex malt profile not found in other examples; most strong bitters are fruitier and hoppier. Judges should not judge all beers in this style as if they were Fuller’s ESB clones. Some modern English variants are brewed exclusively with pale malt and are known as golden or summer bitters. Most bottled or kegged versions of UK-produced bitters are higher-alcohol versions of their cask (draught) products produced specifically for export. The IBU levels are often not adjusted, so the versions available in the US often do not directly correspond to their style subcategories in Britain. English pale ales are generally considered a premium, export-strength pale, bitter beer that roughly approximates a strong bitter, although reformulated for bottling (including containing higher carbonation).</NOTES>
</STYLE>
</RECIPE>