BeerBorg

Grodziskie is a Polish beer style that as been making a comeback over the last few years but was virtualy extinct for quite a few decades. It is also known in German as Grätzer.

While not an official BJCP style (it can be entered as Category 23 - Specialty Beer), it is an official Commercial style and is listed in the Brewer's Association Style Guidelines for 2014. (It might have been added in 2013 I think...)

Anyway, it relies on Oak Smoked Wheat Malt and Noble Hops, and is fermented cool with Ale yeast.

Typically 2.8-3.8 ABV, low to medium noble hop bitterness, and signature oakiness, this is a refreshing summer wheat style. The oakiness is not hammy like a Rauschbeer, it's more enjoyable IMHO as I am usually not a fan of heavily oaked beers. That's another reason I chose to use some Wheat LME as part of the grain bill.

The recipe I designed looks like this... (Note: 3 gallon recipe)

(Note: I was using up hops I had and some Wheat LME so while I hit my Pre-boil Mash OG perfectly at 1.020, I had a bit more Wheat LME so my OG ended up at 1.045 so I just added a bit more water prior to pitching to bring the FINAL OG to: 1.038 and probably a total volume of 3.8 gallons.)

You Say Grätzer, I Say Gradziskie! (3 gallon version)

Specialty Beer:

Partial Mash (3.30 gal) ABV: 3.56 %
OG: 1.036 SG FG: 1.009 SG
IBUs: 47.0 IBUs Color: 4.5 SRM

By: BigPapaG

Ingredients:

3.30 gal WNY (2013) Water

8.0 oz - Pale Malt (6 Row) US: Mash addition (12.1%) - 2.0 SRM

2.0 oz - Carafoam: Mash addition (3.0%) - 2.0 SRM

2 lb - Oak Smoked Wheat Malt: Mash addition (48.5%) - 2.8 SRM

1.00 oz - Hallertauer Mittelfrueh: Boil 60 min (29.3 IBUs)

1.00 oz - Tettnang: Boil 20 min (17.7 IBUs)

0.33 tsp - Yeast Nutrient: Boil 10 min

1 lb 8.0 oz - Wheat Liquid Extract: Boil 10 min (36.4%) - 8.0 SRM

1 pkg - German Ale: Wyeast Labs #100

1.98 tsp - Isinglass (Liquid): Secondary 7 days


Profiles for Recipe:

Mash Profile: Temperature Mash, 2 Step, Medium Body

Fermentation profile: Standard Ale Single Stage Fermentation

My Carbonation Profile: 2.2-2.9 vCO2

Definitely looks interesting. Keep us updated plz, might have to give it a go.

Looks good. I haven't tried or brewed any. There are two pages on it in The Home Brewer's Guide to Vintage Beer, including a recipe. His is 100% Smoked Wheat Malt, Lublin and Fuggles hops, and Kolsch yeast.

Yup, I have seen everythig from Kolsch yeast, S-33, German Ale... I decided on the German Ale yeast for mine... I guess because it's a true top cropping yeast and it would do well at 66*F.

And it's 'supposed to be' 100% Oak Smoked Wheat... But I had the Wheat LME to use up and am not a big fan of smoked beers to begin with... So... I cheated.

As I indicated, I had the hops (although I did check my LHBS and there was no Lublin to be found).

Was gonna use Styrian Goldings which is quite Fuggle-like, but I thought it might muddy the smoke, so I went with the German Tettnang which should work nicely. The Hallertau Mittlefrau adds a bit of floral and is just nice!

I tried the SA Longshot Grätzer and decided to give this a try based on that.

I believe I would like your version much more then the real thing. I really don't like smoked beer, it's about the only style of beer I just can't get into.

I bet that beer would be good with Hersbrucker too, unless the tobacco like notes from it make it seem too much like smoking a cig.

Yeah, me too... I seem to be able to drinkone smoked beer, and find that's about it for a while.

So the design here hopes to achieve a more subtle level of smoke, thus providing a more balanced experience.

I've got a pound of the malt left and might steep some in an IPA for some depth...

Was also thinking it would add something to a porter too.

Anyway, not a fan of hersbrucker either... Love the Mittlefrau though...

All sound reasoning. No one likes muddy smoke.
Palmer advises caution with smoked malts. I think you are striking a good balance. Let us know.

Caution: Beer Pron

Here she is on Day 2 in all her smokey goodness...

Oh wow! That's some good looking stuff there.

Thanks Paul, hope so...

That 1007 German Ale Yeast is tearing it up... Took up almost all the headspace in the fiver and it was only a three gallon batch...

I'm really fond of the 1007. Let's the malts and hops shine and is very clean tasting. I love it with rye malts and pilsner. Never tried smoked wheat malt. Your tongue is going to love you for this.

Ok, been three weeks since I started this...

Was probably done over a week ago but I wanted it to clear more... And it did...

Also, it went from 1.039 ish to 1.011, not bad... About 3.7% ABV... And only 133 calories per 12oz.

Here's the hydro sample ready for consumption!



It tastes great!

Now remember, I'm not a real fan of smoked beers, and I've had a few...

There is quite the aroma of oak smokiness and the taste is light, wheaty and oak-laden.

Initially very smooth with a sharp oak bite near the middle and a lightly smokey finish.

Can't wait to try this once it's carbed and cold!

I think it's a success!

EDIT: Update: I need to add this... I refilled the glass before finishing up and asked SWMBO to try it... Now mind you, she really didn't like a commercial one she tried a month ago... I explained she might not like this one as it's the same style... And it's flat and warm too...

So, she gave it a sniff, then a double sniff and to my surprise she quaffed it down in one gulp like a pro! She said: "Well, it's not bad... Not my favorite style though, but it's good."

I'm thrilled even though I almost hit the floor when she said it!

Great!

Here's a first pour pic of my Grodziskie...

Taste is great...

As you can see, it's wheat cloudy... Good white head... Thins out after a bit to a thin white covering...

Aroma is oak smoke and wheat... Maybe just a tiny bit of bread, but I don't think the clean German Ale yeast is contributing much there...

Taste is fantastic... And I don't like smoke beers... Generally... This one is lightly smoky and wheaty... Not at all hammy due to the oak wood used as opposed to beachwood... And it's a sharper smoke character...

Very refreshing!

Good body and mouthfeel for only being 3.7%...

Smooth up front, some smoke bite in the middle with a faint lingering on the finish that calls you back for another sip!

Not bad, IIMSS... Not bad at all! I will be making this again and will probably keg it for the heat of summer!