GW's Sarah Hughes Dark Ruby

[floydmeddler]

Howdy lads,

I know a few of you have brewed this and you all seem to love it. My question is about the FG - GW states that it needs to be 1015. Can I achieve this with S04 by mashing at a high temp - say 73c-75c (GW states the mash needs to be at 67c?) or is it the high volume of Crystal that gives the high FG?

Cheers

[Graham]

1015 is not that high for an all malt 1058 beer. The crystal malt has a lower fermentability than pale malt. The final gravity is only a guesstimate anyway, so I should not place too much importance on it. What you get is what you get - bet it won't be far off though.

[floydmeddler]

From the man himself! Will stick with s04 at 67c then.

Cheers Graham.

[Stonechat]

Did this beer in 2006 to GW's earlier recipe when the planned FG was 1014. Used a live brewery yeast and bottled at 1018!

Beer tasted fine with no bottle explosions. I do prime lightly though only a quarter teaspoon of sugar.

Did another 25 litre brew in 2009 and remembering the high final gravity used two 12g sachets of S-04. This time finished up at 1015 against the planned FG of 1014.

Have yet to do the recipe from the 3rd edition, which has the same amount of crystal malt, but a bit more pale malt.

[chris_reboot]

I did this a couple of months ago to the 2009 recipe by GW and it ended up at 1012 with 1 pack of S-04.

Enjoy, it won't last long!

[bazbaby3]

Any chance to post the recipe, sounds like a dark mild. cheers!

[floydmeddler]

Hey Baz. It comes from Graham's (guy who posted above) book Brew You Own British Real Ale so we generally don't post his recipes on the forum out of respect. You can pick the book up cheap enough though. Great book with loads of popular real ale recipes and very helpful tips and info on the whole brewing process.

[micmacmoc]

Do get the GW book, its a mine of wonderful recipes and straightforward brewing technique. I have bought many other brew books but its this and its predecessor 'Dave Line Brewing Beer like those you buy' ( a bit dated but we owe the late Mr Lines a debt of thanks) are the bizz if you like british ales.
I did the Sarah Hughes last week and can't wait for it to get down below 1020, I'm barrelling this one. The hardest part of this brewing is the patience required for proper conditioning. My theory is that if I brew as often as possible there will always be something to drink....just a shame i neck it all as soon as it is.
I think sarah hughes seems to be the most prevalent brew on Jim's at the mo so it must be good.

[chris_reboot]

I was more than pleased with the results.
I took one round to a friend (who is a lager drinker) the other day, and even he enjoyed it (although he remarked it tasted like newky brown - this from a carling drinker mind you! )

[floydmeddler]

...The hardest part of this brewing is the patience required for proper conditioning. My theory is that if I brew as often as possible there will always be something to drink.....

I have taken this approach too. I'll brew even when I have loads ready to drink. 2 weeks in primary then any number of weeks in secondary - until bottles become free basically. My recent beers have been the best yet.

[bazbaby3]

I'll get the book, its my birthday soon!!!! thanks

[garwatts]

I'll get the book, its my birthday soon!!!! thanks

Try Google.
http://www.hopandgrain.com/recipeSearch ... uby%20Mild
for example. Its not far off of GW's recipe
But do get Graham's book - its worth every penny.

[Trunky]

[JamesH]

I've just tasted some of my Sarah Hughes and it is far and away the best brew I've done so far. Due to a lack of hops I had to use Nothern Brewer to bitter with. It has only been in the corny for a fortnight and already tastes incredible. I think this is the one that will make my friends sit up and realise that my brewing isn't just an eccentric hobby, it gets great results!