Recipe Critique: Big Mike ESB

[zachhodgson]

Hello! I've been commissioned by a friend to brew a beer for his birthday. In looking for something approachable and semi sessionable, I've decided on an ESB. I'm shooting for mainly UK sourced ingredients for authenticity, plus a little US Victory Malt for a little tongue and cheek funny. As I'm still new at this, I'd love to know what you think of the extract recipe below.

Fermentables:
6lb UK Maris Otter Extract
1.5lb Honey*

Specialty Grains (steeped at 155 for 30min):
4oz UK Medium Crystal
2oz UK Roasted Barley
2oz US Victory Malt

Hops:
60 min: 1oz UK Target
20 min: 0.33oz UK EKG
20 min: 0.33oz UK Fuggles
00 min: 0.33oz UK EKG
00 min: 0.33oz UK Fuggles

Dry Hop: 0.33oz UK EKG
Dry Hop: 0.33oz UK Fuggles

Yeast:
Safale S-04

Estimated From Beer Alchemy:
OG: 1.046
FG: 1.008
ABV: 5%
IBU: 52.7
Color: 12.2 SRM


Thanks very much for all your help.

 

[GuldTuborg]

I'd tone down the 60 minute addition a bit and get the dry hopping upped a little. The IBUs seem a bit high. The honey addition seems a bit high as well, and the OG low for an ESB. Then again, call it a "best bitter", and you're good.

The roasted barley is an interesting addition. Reminds me a bit of Goose Island's Honker's Ale - ESB like ale with just a hint of roasty toast on the finish. It's good stuff.

 

[forstmeister]

I would go with all EKG and Fuggles, at least that's how I have done my ESB's in the past. Also, the Wyeast ESB yeast (I think it's 1968?) is really good unless you are dead set on using dry.

 

[zachhodgson]

After some consideration, I've decided that turning this into a Best Bitter works a little better for the context and I've revised the recipe. Also, I felt that some simplification was in order. I'd love to hear what you think of the revisions.

Fermentables:
6lb UK Maris Otter Extract
1lb Honey

Specialty Grains (steeped at 155 for 30min):
4oz UK Medium Crystal
2oz UK Roasted Barley
2oz US Victory Malt

Hops:
60 min: 1.5oz UK EKG
10 min: 0.5oz UK EKG
00 min: 1.0oz UK EKG

Dry Hop: 1.0oz UK EKG

Yeast:
Wyeast 1768 - English Special Bitter

Estimated From Beer Alchemy:
OG: 1.043
FG: 1.009
ABV: 4.4%
IBU: 29-35 depending on AA%
Color: 12.1 SRM

 

[forstmeister]

Personally, I like the new recipe. Simple is best when it comes to bitters in my opinion.