mrfocus
Well-Known Member
First off, let me explain why: I want to use a product that my LHBS recently got (FestaBrew) which is basically 6 gallons of wort ready to ferment. I would like to do their Brown Ale: http://www.magnotta.com/Festabrew/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=220 but have read that the bitterness is kind of bland (the wort is most likely a bit old so some of the bitterness might be gone). There is nothing to boil, it's basically add to a fermenter and wait. I would like to add 10-15 IBUs to get something a little more bitter.
So, is there an easy way for me to do this?
I was thinking that maybe if I boiled 1 qt (or 1L) of water with 0.5 ounce of something like Cascade for 30-60 minutes and added that to the fermented beer (to taste) I might end up with what I'm looking for.
I've read about dry hopping and hop tea (the french press idea is great for adding aroma) but I really want to add bitterness to the beer to get it similar to a Northern English Brown Ale (about 1.040-50 and 20-30 IBUs).
I know there are limits to the isomerization of hop alpha acids (dependant on such things as volume of the boil) so I guess if anyone has some sources for me to read or some first hand information it would be great and I would be appreciative.
I have searched for this but have found nothing on the forum.
So, is there an easy way for me to do this?
I was thinking that maybe if I boiled 1 qt (or 1L) of water with 0.5 ounce of something like Cascade for 30-60 minutes and added that to the fermented beer (to taste) I might end up with what I'm looking for.
I've read about dry hopping and hop tea (the french press idea is great for adding aroma) but I really want to add bitterness to the beer to get it similar to a Northern English Brown Ale (about 1.040-50 and 20-30 IBUs).
I know there are limits to the isomerization of hop alpha acids (dependant on such things as volume of the boil) so I guess if anyone has some sources for me to read or some first hand information it would be great and I would be appreciative.
I have searched for this but have found nothing on the forum.