I had a pint of Smithwicks the other day for the first time, and thought I would take a stab at brewing a reasonable facsimile. I found this recipe at the Powers Homebrew Website. It looks okay to me, but I’m unfamiliar with the style. It also does not indicate IBUs.
I’d expect some crystal malt or other flavor-enhancing malts, and less roast.
You can calculate the IBUs by picking an average value for the hops (5.5% or so). This style should be balanced towards the malt. The roast will give some dryness in the finish, but it shouldn’t have a roasty flavor.
It should have a light roast flavor which lends a characteristic dryness in the finish. I think this can be achieved with a very small addition of chocolate malt. Roasted malt will lend too much roastiness IMO.
Found this old thread in a search for “Smithwick”. I’m brewing this for my second annual “Holiday Man-Day” on the 21st. My bro-in-law loves Smithwicks.
Roguejim, I still see you every so often on the forum. Hope you see this resurrection of your old thread and can let me know how your recipe came out.
I’m looking at this for a 10g batch.
16# Marris Otter
1# Crystal 80
1# Crystal 60
1# Flaked Barley
.22# Roasted Barley
EKG at 60, 20 and 2 with some Fuggles at 2 for 22.4 IBUs
Have some Wyeast 037 in the fridge from a Nut Brown Ale I was going to use instead of Irish Ale-1084.
Smithwicks is not that red IMO so your color should be spot on. I prefer Carafa II Special for color in my reds, keeps the roastiness down. Should be tasty!
I also have use WY-1450 in an Irish Red, not traditional but also very tasty.