First post here and a new to brewing. I would like to recreate a cream ale my buddy made doing all grain. He has never used extract so is unable to help me.
His grain bill for a 5 gallon batch was 4 lbs 2 row, 4 lbs 6 row and 2 lbs corn. The goal of his recipe was a light colored low abv lightly hopped beer. . I plan to do a 3 gallon boil.
So far all I’ve done are kits with the grain in the bag. I would like to continue along those lines until I get better at this sticking to this style of beer.
I just made a Kolsch with the Pilsen malt and it seemed a bit darker than I was looking for. If I reduced the Pilsen LME to 4.5 pounds and used 1 lb 2 row, 1 lb 6 row and .5 lb corn in a bag for 30 min would this be close to what I am looking for or should I just try to find a kit thats close and stick to that?
I think you’re on the right track with branching out into a mini-mash. Same process as the steeping grains from the kits, just steep longer (about an hour) and try to keep the temp in the 140-160°F range. If you have an oven with a warmer setting that’s usually perfect.
So I’d mash 1 lb of the 6-row with the 2 lb flaked corn, and substitute the other 7 lb of barley for ~4 lb of a good Pilsner or extra light DME. It’s much easier to make a light-colored beer with DME.
Prepare for success! This is a pretty cheap one ingredients-wise, probably under $20? Plus you already know you like the all-grain version, so start with the assumption you’ll like this too, then work hard to make it so.
Re: Irish moss, it’s a pain to work with. Just jump straight up to Whirlfloc T. Half a tablet per 5 gal at average gravities.
When I use it, I weigh it out at the same time as my water salts, I have the gram scale out anyway. Into a cup with a bit of water; this is usually the night before, so it sits overnight. Then I don’t even strain it, I figure there’s some good stuff dissolved into the water.
I would use Briess Pilsen DME if you can get it. It is by far the lightest colored DME I’ve found and is highly fermentable. Add it late to the boil. I would also increase your mini-mash grains to the max you think you can do.
I’ve made excellent light lagers with a mini-mash and DME. A cream ale is basically the same deal, just not lagered.