Crafting an Award Winning Beer
A Case Study in 2.5 Parts
The LateFaire
The Mayfaire has run for at least 42 years (1978). We're not about to let a global pandemic stop us!
What Made It Special
- Limited "Throw Back Categories"
- based on the classes in the 1979 Mayfaire
- Light Ale, Light Lager, Dark Ale, Dark Lager, Stout or Bock , Unusual, Hoppy, Belgiany
- based on the classes in the 1979 Mayfaire
- Limited to 100 entries
- Distributed judging (remote or pod/distanced).
Gary Elliot
Fellowship of Oklahoma Ale Makers (FOAM)
Second Runnerup Best of Show
"Kilt No Underwear"
Dark Ale (Wee Heavy)
Nothing Under the Kilt
6 Gallons @ 1.083 (9.1% ABV), 26 SRM, 24 IBUs, 90 minute boil
Malt
10 lbs Golden Promise
3 lbs US Pale 2-Row
2.5 lbs US Pale 6-Row
1.0 lbs Aromatic Malt
1.0 lbs Briess Extra Special
1.0 lbs Melanoiden
1.0 lbs Briess Special Roast
0.5 lbs Briess C60
0.5 lbs Briess Chocolate Rye
Nothing Under the Kilt
6 Gallons @ 1.083 (9.1% ABV), 26 SRM, 24 IBUs, 90 minute boil
Hops
0.5 oz CTZ 16.9% - 60 minutes
0.5 oz Fuggles 4.2% - 0 minutes
Mash
Single Infusion - 149°F - 75 minutes
Yeast
Imperial A31 Tartan
Water
Bru'n Water - Brown Full (balanced C:S ratio)
Nothing Under the Kilt
6 Gallons @ 1.083 (9.1% ABV), 26 SRM, 24 IBUs, 90 minute boil
Special Notes
1st gallon of runnings boiled separately to 1.5 quarts to boost caramel flavors.
Ferment
60°F for 2 days, 1° per day for 10 days and then crashed to 34°F for 2 days prior to kegging
Nothing Under the Kilt
Judges Comment from 1st Round (Score: 41)
"A fascinating blend of flavors that take turns becoming the dominant feature at any one point. A big big beer that could use a ski lodge around it."
Rich and malty with creme brulee aromas. Decocted or a longer boil evident. Some notes of apple esters and a potential note of acetaldehyde with some desire to see less back end bitterness.
Best of Show Judges?
Izzy Arrieta
Maltose Falcons
First Runnerup Best of Show
"Izzy's Barrel Run"
This beer is a mystery...
- Wrapped inside of a riddle, trapped in an enigma
- Here's what we do know about this Barelywine....
The "Details"
- Brewed in late 2014 for the 40th Anniversary Party
- Double Mash
- 2.5 hour boil
- 10 gallon batch
- 5 gallons aged in Bourbon Barrel
- 5 gallons aged in Maple Rye & Rum Barrel
- Keg "lived" in Izzy's office at work and was forgotten for years
- This is the Second BoS placing and 3rd medal for the beer.
Izzy's Barrel Run
Judges Comment from 1st Round (Score: 39.67)
"A fascinating blend of flavors that take turns becoming the dominant feature at any one point. A big big beer that could use a ski lodge around it."
Lots of malt aroma and barrel character notes with maple more prominent on the nose. "Liquid Ferrero Rocher"
Best of Show Judges?
Jeff Kohler
Yeastside Homebrewers
Best of Show
"Ella Pils"
German Pils (Light Lager)
Ella Pils
10 Gallons @ 1.046 (5.1% ABV), 90 minute boil
Malt
21 lbs Moravian Pils Malt (Záhlinice)
Hops
1 oz Ella 16.9%AA for 60 mins
3 oz Ella 16.9% AA whirlpool (how)
4 oz Ella 16.9% AA dry hop - 3 days @ 45°F
Mash
Single Infusion - 150°F - 90 mins
Water
8 gallons for mash at 5.5pH (phosphoric acid)
Ella Pils
10 Gallons @ 1.046 (5.1% ABV), 90 minute boil
Yeast
2 packs Wyeast 2206 Bavarian Lager in 1 gallon decanted starter
Extra Notes
Ferment at 52°F for 2 weeks (including a diacetyl rest)
Ella Pils
Judges Comment from 1st Round (Score: 41)
"This is a very crushable and refreshing beer. The bitterness dominates as expected. If you're looking for improvements a bit more malt complexity might really take this over the top but that is a minor complaint."
Floral perfume, spicy hop aroma. Low malt sweetness with a palate dominated by the hop. High carbonation, lightly astringent finish
Best of Show Judges?