A friend of mine has commissioned me with the task of helping him create a winter brew for his kegerator. He’s not the home-brew/beer geek type and when describing what beer examples he would like to mimic he said, “Guiness, Hobgoblin, Highland Gaelic ale, highland cold mountain, and black lagers, because they are all kinda similar”…(right!)…So I think he wants something pretty dark and malty and under 7% abv. I was thinking along the lines of a low gravity Old Ale. I was thinking ale cause I don’t really have time to do a lager (a bock would probably fit his desires). Any thoughts?
You’re on the right path with something dark and malty. I would consider a porter or the typical English winter warmer (with or without the spices). Whatever you consider an old ale would be fine too. From the beers given as examples I wouldn’t venture into anything too roasty like a stout.
BVIP is always a good go to for me in the winter.
I’m brewing this this weekend, never had it before, but heard great things about it, got my fingers crossed that my brewing skills are up to it!
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I’ve got this conditioning right now, it’s an every year beer for me!
How about a bock with an ale yeast?
BVIP is “bourbon vanilla imperial porter”? Does anyone know of a good extract recipe for a dark old ale under 7% abv?
Yep, Denny’s Bourbon Vanilla Imperial Porter. Sorry I can’t help you on the Old Ale recipe.