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Summer Ale

A light, citrusy homebrewed summer ale with a clean finish and 4.8% ABV, perfect for warm days and outdoor gatherings.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 54 12-ounce servings
Course: Drinks and Beverages
Cuisine: American Craft
Calories: 150

Ingredients
  

Main
  • 8 pounds 2-row Pale Malt
  • 1.5 pounds Pilsner Malt
  • 0.5 pounds Carapils Malt
  • 1.25 ounces Cascade Hops 60-minute boil
  • 0.75 ounces Centennial Hops 15-minute mark
  • 1 ounce Amarillo Hops flameout
  • Wyeast 1056 American Ale yeast
  • 7 gallons filtered water
  • 1/4 teaspoon table salt

Equipment

  • Large stainless steel pot (10+ gallons)
  • Mash tun or insulated cooler with false bottom
  • Thermometer
  • Hydrometer
  • Brewing spoon
  • Immersion chiller
  • Fermentation vessel with airlock
  • Auto-siphon and tubing
  • Bottling wand and bottle caps
  • Sanitizer solution
  • Digital scale
  • Cheese cloth or hop bag

Method
 

  1. Heat 2.5 gallons of water to 168°F, add 1/4 teaspoon table salt, and sanitize all equipment with sanitizer solution.
  2. Mill all grains and mash at 152–156°F for 60 minutes, stirring gently to maintain temperature.
  3. Sparge the grains with 2 gallons of 168°F water, collecting a total of 5.5 gallons of wort.
  4. Bring the wort to a rolling boil, add 1.25 ounces of Cascade hops in a hop bag, and boil for 60 minutes.
  5. With 15 minutes remaining in the boil, add 0.75 ounces of Centennial hops for flavor.
  6. Turn off heat, add 1 ounce of Amarillo hops at flameout, steep for 5 minutes, then cool the wort to 68°F with an immersion chiller.
  7. Siphon the cooled wort into a sanitized fermenter, leaving sediment behind, and verify temperature is between 65 and 70°F.
  8. Pitch the yeast into the wort, seal the fermenter with an airlock, and ferment at 65–72°F for 10–14 days.
  9. Monitor specific gravity until it stabilizes around 1.010 for three consecutive days.
  10. Dissolve 3/4 cup dextrose in 1 cup boiling water, add to bottling bucket, transfer beer, bottle with 1 inch headspace, cap and condition at room temperature for 2–3 weeks.

Notes

Serve the summer ale at 48–55°F. Pairs well with grilled fish tacos, salads, and light cheeses.