BOONDOGGLE

[trucker5774]

I have been enjoying a Boondoggle Blonde Ale from Ringwood at my local for the last few months. It's a style I like to brew and was wondering if anyone could have a stab at what the likely grain bill is and how it may be hopped. Its along the lines of Amarillo or Cascade but not as pronounced.

It may not be to everyone's taste, but I find it smooth and easy drinking...............too much so

[wburgess]

A blonde and luscious ale – the perfect excuse. Brewed with the finest English Pale Malt, First Gold and Fuggles Hops.

http://www.ringwoodbrewery.co.uk/beers/beer.aspx?bid=7

[trucker5774]

Thanks for the effort. I also found the same search result, but just started wondering what they are NOT telling. Will first gold give the "citrus" note they speak of? I don't expect the brewery to list the recipe, but there must be hundreds of recipes using those hops in different quantities and stages.
Anyone brewed a "clone"

[wburgess]

First Gold
Bred at Wye College in 1995. First Gold is the produce of cross-pollination of WGV with a dwarf male. First Gold has many of Goldings flavour characteristics but with a higher Alpha acid at 7 to 9%. The hop gives a rich citrus character with flavours described as orange peel and dried apricot. First Gold has proven success in the United States in stronger flavoured summer beers and IPAs

First gold does give a lovely citrus note to beers, I expect the only thing they are leaving off their ingredients is some wheat malt, I would doubt there is any torrified wheat included though. And defo use british ale yeast.

I'm trying to do the same thing with Skinner's cornish blonde. That is a wheat beer brewed with english hops. I've gone as far as 40% wheat malt, maybe a bit over the top for an english ale.

[trucker5774]

That's first gold on the shopping list...............never used them before, but love cascade and amarillo. Sounds like they will be to my taste

[wburgess]

Hmm.. I may now be adding a few to my cornish wheat beer!

[trucker5774]

I have done a little more reading and noticed that a regular suggestion as a substitute is EKG? Can't say I have noticed a particular citrus note from them when I have used them. Ah well another 10 years of experimenting and mixing flavours

[trucker5774]

Popped into my local again yesterday for a couple. I sat out in the sun and sipped at the golden nectar........................hang on, what's going on? It just didn't taste the same. It was pleasant and fresh, but just didn't have that sweeter citrus note that I have become fond of. I managed to contain my disappointment and asked the barmaid if there had been any change. She was quite sure that it was the same as usual and nobody else had "complained". I assured her that I wasn't complaining just asking/commenting....................she continued to defend, when I noticed the subtle difference on the pump badge. It was Summer Ale, not the Blond Ale. Still nice but not what I had built my thirst on during the mile walk

[raiderman]

First Gold

I'm trying to do the same thing with Skinner's cornish blonde. That is a wheat beer brewed with english hops. I've gone as far as 40% wheat malt, maybe a bit over the top for an english ale.

I'm generally add up to 1,5 kg of wheat malt to bitters, this time I'm trying 1kg of dark wheat malt in an english bitter, first impressions are good I've used 3kg of MO then topped up with lager malt. The colour in the bucket was very pale, so the dark wheat hasn't coloured the brew but the wheat flavour was excellent. Its two days into the ferment now and the yeast head is amazingly white, which I put down to the wheat. I'm looking forward to drinking it