madscientist451
Well-Known Member
Its interesting to track the evolution of the AK from 1870 to the 1920, the 1930 and the 1933 version.
The 1870 recipe uses all pale malt, a gravity about 1.050 and just slightly less hops than IPA. The recipe says 12-18 lbs/quarter which translates to about 7oz to 12 oz of hops for a 5 gallon batch.
Around 1880 the taxation for beer changed, the war caused shortages, more taxes and price controls and drinkers preferences changed.
By the 20's and 30's the use of 6 row, corn and sugar was common, the OG was reduced to 1.040 or lower and the hops substantially reduced.
The commercial breweries still used the term AK, but it really was a totally different beer.
Someday I'm going to try to get some Chevalier malt and see what the 1870 version was like.
The 1870 recipe uses all pale malt, a gravity about 1.050 and just slightly less hops than IPA. The recipe says 12-18 lbs/quarter which translates to about 7oz to 12 oz of hops for a 5 gallon batch.
Around 1880 the taxation for beer changed, the war caused shortages, more taxes and price controls and drinkers preferences changed.
By the 20's and 30's the use of 6 row, corn and sugar was common, the OG was reduced to 1.040 or lower and the hops substantially reduced.
The commercial breweries still used the term AK, but it really was a totally different beer.
Someday I'm going to try to get some Chevalier malt and see what the 1870 version was like.
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