DarwinBrew – Darwin’s World Cup 2010 English Bitter

BATCH #5 – 4/6/2010 – William’s English Bitter

A special World Cup 2010 keg for our good British friends, the Lacey’s. Up next a fine American Ale to round out the beverage selection for World Cup 2010 – June 12th, 2010 – USA vs. ENG

The most popular draft beer in England, Bitter, despite its astringent name, has less hop flavor (bitterness) than pale ale. Bitter is known in England as a ‘session’ beer, which means it has a flavor people do not tire of when they are having a few, and the alcohol content is not so strong as to numb the brain during the drinking session, as the social custom in England requires that everyone in the group buy a round of 20 ounce pints smooth malty beer, balanced with a noticeable but not strong English hop bitterness. Bitter is traditionally served on draft, as the lower carbonation levels inherent in draft beer best showcase its smooth character.

Alcohol: 4.0%, IBU’s 31. 7 lbs. of blended malt extract, English Fuggle and Golding hops, 125 ml of liquid ale yeast, and corn sugar for carbonation. Starting gravity of at least 1.044.

BREWING NOTE(S):
8:32 – 4 gallons tap water to start boil (55° outside)
8:57 – William’s English Bitter Wort in w/ fire off
9:07 – Re-boil – kept boil at ~210°
9:12 – Added hops – (KCF125) Flavoring Hops
10:02 – Added hops – (KCG050) Aromatic Hops
10:07 – End boil Fire off
10:20 – Used copper coil wort cooler to cool down to 85°
10:30 – Drain to primary & let settle
10:55 – Drain to fermenter
11:05 – Added WYEAST 1028 London (0903061 MFG 09MAR10) Activator pouch

Produced only 3.3 gallons of beer – added ~1.5 gallons water

Wait 14 days to measure the specific gravity (should read 1.019)
4/19/10 – SG measures at 1.017
4/20/10 – SG measures at 1.016
68° – moved to priming tank (bucket), vigorously stirred in 1/2 cup priming sugar
- Drained to a sanitized brand new cornelius (corny) keg.
- Store at 65-70° for 7 days to build natural carbonation
4/27/10 – for a more traditional flavor move to top secret spot (garage) in a cooler location for 2 weeks.
5/12/10 – move to refrigerator and get it ready for June 12, 11am USA vs. ENG. “The Stars and Stripes” against “The Three Lions”

-darwinBrew,
DarwinBrew.com
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Tags: ale, beer, ferment, homebrew, hops, wort, yeast