BeerBorg

Our club is doing a SMaSH brew project. Everybody is supposed to do a SMaSH and bring it to the May meeting. Last time I did a SMaSH I used 9lbs of Munich, 1 oz mt hood hops, and S04. It was actually a really nice sessionable beer. I wouldn't mind making it again. But I could also do a Schafly Tasmanian IPA cloan of sorts. The Tasmanian IPA is nothing but 2 row and galaxy hops. Most likely with an American Ale yeast. This would give me a chance to experiment again with hop standing. I do have the ingredients on hand. I could use either BRY 97 or Notty for the yeast. (to me notty tastes more like an American ale yeast than a Brittish yeast because it finishes so clean). However I was planning on taking another shot at my Tasmanian White Wheat with those hops. I also have a pound of columbus hops, a pound of centenial hops, 6oz of Amarillo, 4 oz of Simcoe, Half a pound of Citras, a pound of magnum, and a few others I could experiment with. I have no clue where I am going with this...but there you go.

Too many choices are better than too few. I've made two SMaShes, three really. The two true were pale ales of Maris Otter/Cascade, and MO/Columbus. Both were good, I preferred the Columbus. The third was not strictly a SMaSh, as I used extract. But I believe it is in the spirit: one malt ingredient, one hop. That consisted of CBW Amber LME and Cluster hops. Also very good. I hardly think you can go wrong.

I've had Centenial single hoped beers before and loved them.

For our RCE with JPSherman we had Columbus hops as late addition and were very surprised how good they work for flavor/aroma vs. bittering.

Marris Otter makes a great SMaSH grain.

Go get um Big Guy.

Hmmm...maybe I will do centennial.

My signature beer, FedoraDave's American Ale, started out as a SMaSH experiment, to learn about hops profiles. It's morphed into a slightly more complicated grain bill, since I add some rye malt and 10L, but I've come down to using Simcoe exclusively. I like what it brings to the simple grain bill. I'd recommend that.

But the Centennial is a good choice, too, I think. There are definitely similarities in the two hops.

Darn you Dave...I was pretty much decided on Amarillo now you have me second guessing myself

Beer smith describes Simcoe as citrus piney, and Amarillo as citrus floral. I think I am going to go with the floral this time.

Nothing wrong with citrus/floral.

I like the way Simcoe's citrus/pine makes my American Ale taste. It's a good beer. I'm proud of it.

I'm sure you'll be proud of your SMaSH beer with Amarillo. A darn good hop selection, to be sure.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a FD's American Ale to drink!

The first 5 gallon batch I made was NB Simcoe SMaSH. Simcoe makes an awesome SMaSH!

Another good citrus/floral to me is Galaxy.

My two house SMaSHes are my Toboggan Run (Cascade) and Clutter Buster (Nugget). The wife really loves the Nugget so I try to keep it on the shelf. Might be something interesting to try that is different and not something half the club will show up with.

Good grief, so many opinions!

Who's right?

Actually, everybody is.

Man, do I love beer and beer discussions!