Nugget at Both Ends

grain:
- 18 pounds Muntons Maris Otter Pale Ale malt
- 2 pounds Briess crystal 60
- 2 pounds Munich malt

hop:
- 1 1/2 ounces Nugget (60 minutes)
- 1/2 ounce Amarillo (40 minutes)
- 1/2 ounce Amarillo (30 minutes)
- 1/2 ounce Amarillo (20 minutes)
- 1/2 ounce Nugget(dry)

yeast:
- White Labs San Francisco Lager Yeast

comments:
Sweet, malty, hoppy pale ale / lager hybrid. The temperature and yeast suggests a California Common. The hops, however, a Pale Ale.

The Nugget dry hops is an experiment. I think they smell good.

The long Ale season was fun this year. Brewed the last ale in early November (Imperial Stout). Now the basement is about 62 degrees Fahrenheit. Ideal fermentation temperature for Commons.

ambient outdoor temperature: 39 degrees Fahrenheit
ambient basement temperature: 62 degrees Fahrenheit

mash notes:
- (10:20 AM) mash start @ 146 degrees Fahrenheit
- (10:40 AM) @ 148 degrees Fahrenheit
- (11:00 AM) @ 146 degrees Fahrenheit
- (11:25 AM) sparge water added; mash @ 150 degrees Fahrenheit
- (12:10 PM) first sparge @ 18 degrees Brix
- second sparge @ 12 Brix after water added to increase volume; estimating a 6% beer

boil notes:
- (1:30 PM) boil start
- (2:40 PM) boil end

notes:
- boil not as vigorous as it probably should have been. check for issues in final product.

tasting notes:
Strong bitterness, bright and fruity hop flavor with moderate aroma.

- half bottled on 2/21/2010