Spring is starting to show itself here in Denver. We have had a week of absolutely beautiful weather, and I couldn't be happier. Yesterday I blew a keg, which means I had a free fermenter, which means BREW DAY! Huzzah! So I busted out Beer Smith and worked up this little number.

Date: 3/27/2011 Brewer: bryan Boil Size: 3.43 gal Asst Brewer: Boil Time: 60 min Equipment: My Equipment Taste Rating(out of 50): 35.0 Brewhouse Efficiency: 75.00 Taste Notes:  

Amount	Item	Type	% or IBU
4 lbs	Pale Malt (2 Row) US (2.0 SRM)	Grain	63.49 %
1 lbs	Biscuit Malt (23.0 SRM)	Grain	15.87 %
8.0 oz	Caramel/Crystal Malt - 20L (20.0 SRM)	Grain	7.94 %
8.0 oz	Caramel/Crystal Malt - 80L (80.0 SRM)	Grain	7.94 %
4.8 oz	Carapils (1.6 SRM)	Grain	4.76 %
0.30 oz	Amarillo Gold [8.60 %] (60 min)	Hops	14.9 IBU
0.20 oz	Amarillo Gold [11.20 %] (45 min)	Hops	11.8 IBU
0.30 oz	Amarillo Gold [8.50 %] (15 min)	Hops	7.3 IBU
0.30 oz	Williamette [4.80 %] (10 min)	Hops	3.0 IBU
0.50 oz	Williamette [4.80 %] (5 min)	Hops	2.8 IBU

  Measured Original Gravity: 1.010 SG Est Final Gravity: 1.015 SG Measured Final Gravity: 1.005 SG Estimated Alcohol by Vol: 5.47 % Actual Alcohol by Vol: 0.65 % Bitterness: 39.8 IBU Calories: 43 cal/pint Est Color: 14.4 SRM Color:

Color

I was aiming for an amber ale. No real reason why, except that I had a terrible amber from Breckenridge Brewery the other day called Avalanche Amber. Think amber colored Pabst. Ugh. I guess I did have a reason why... to prove that I can do it better.

I'm not really one to stick to specific style restrictions, but... it will be amber colored, and it sure as  hell won't taste like Pabst! I used Amarillo for bittering mainly because it was in the fridge. I have always loved Williamette, and figured this might be a good opportunity to use the two together.

The brew day was very smooth, and I ended up with this beauty
Come to think of it, all my brews have been exceedingly smooth lately (knock on wood). I didn't even take a gravity reading... in my mind I performed the process of brewing pretty much as good as can be expected, so why bother fussing with the hydrometer and turkey baster? Ill still be making beer, even if I missed my target gravity by a couple of points.

O yea, and good news... 15 bucks til I get a free batch from my LHBS! I feel pretty lucky to not only have a homebrew shop nearby, but to have one that has a kick ass rewards program. Spend x amount and get 15 bucks in beer shiz for free. My batches usually run around $12-14, unless its an IPA, so hell ya. Free beer is good beer.

CHEERS!