Fussbudget - An Amber Ale

[philm00x]

Today I'm giving a go at an amber ale, and I asked my wife what I should name the beer. The first word out of her mouth was "Fussbudget", a nickname she gave my daughter because she is still a fussy sleeper at 5 months old. So it was named! Anyhow, upon my research of the style, my understanding is that the beer ought to have a good aroma of typically citrusy hops, and have malty flavor but not too sweet. My thought was, since I'm in Florida, I should try to bring out the orange aroma in the beer. The first thing that came to mind was Mandarina Bavaria, but my LHBS did not have them in stock but suggested to try Pacifica which was described as bringing out an "orange marmalade" character, which sounded great! So here is what I'm working with

BeerSmith 2 Recipe Printout - http://www.beersmith.com
Recipe: Fussbudget
Brewer: Mr. Rufus Brewing Co.
Asst Brewer:
Style: American Amber Ale
TYPE: All Grain
Taste: (30.0)

Recipe Specifications
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Boil Size: 3.03 gal
Post Boil Volume: 2.60 gal
Batch Size (fermenter): 2.50 gal
Bottling Volume: 2.25 gal
Estimated OG: 1.051 SG
Estimated Color: 14.5 SRM
Estimated IBU: 24.6 IBUs
Brewhouse Efficiency: 72.00 %
Est Mash Efficiency: 72.0 %
Boil Time: 60 Minutes

Ingredients:
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Amt Name Type # %/IBU
4 lbs Pale Malt (2 Row) US (2.0 SRM) Grain 1 82.1 %
8.0 oz Munich Malt (9.0 SRM) Grain 2 10.3 %
6.0 oz Caramel/Crystal Malt -150L (150.0 SRM) Grain 3 7.7 %
0.15 oz Galaxy [14.00 %] - First Wort 60.0 min Hop 4 18.8 IBUs
0.38 oz Pacifica [5.20 %] - Boil 10.0 min Hop 5 5.8 IBUs
1.0 pkg American Ale II (Wyeast Labs #1272) [124 Yeast 6 -
0.35 oz Pacifica [5.20 %] - Dry Hop 3.0 Days Hop 7 0.0 IBUs
0.25 oz Galaxy [14.00 %] - Dry Hop 3.0 Days Hop 8 0.0 IBUs


Mash Schedule: Single Infusion, Full Body, Batch Sparge
Total Grain Weight: 4 lbs 14.0 oz
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Name Description Step Temperat Step Time
Mash In Add 8.11 qt of water at 170.7 F 155.0 F 50 min

Sparge: Batch sparge with 2 steps (Drain mash tun , 1.79gal) of 168.0 F water
Notes:
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[Whamolagan]

Looks good. Can't wait to hear how this comes out.

[Gymrat]

Have you ever thought about adopting a nearly 60 year old man?

[Whamolagan]

They could nickname you fussybritches

[philm00x]

:LOL:!! Love it. I used a new thermapen thermometer to check my temps today, and I finished with 1.053 wort. A whole 2 points over expected OG. I'm beginning to believe that my last few OG and flavor woes were due to incorrect temperatures from a faulty thermometer. Can't wait to see how this beer turns out!

[Whamolagan]

A good thermometer is one of the best tools one can have for correct conversion

[Beer-lord]

I have one and it will be with me for as long as I live. Broke the probe once and for $25 they repaired it for me which I thought was fair.

[philm00x]

Doing some QC on this so far. It finally stopped bubbling through the blow off tube today, but still has a while to go. Think I might dry hop it tonight. The orangey flavor I wanted to compliment the malt is there, but a bit stronger than I wanted right now. It should calm down in time.

[Kealia]

Sounds good. I like my ambers a bit on the hoppy side but much more balanced than my pales and IPAs. I used to favor the malty side but then I came here and got ruined.

Keep us posted. I love a good amber and am always looking for something new.

[philm00x]

Initial samplings- the color under ambient light is a very plum purple but as you can see in the pic, under direct light is a vibrant ruby red. Tastes hoppier than expected but its still really good. I might tweak the recipe a bit to lean it toward the maltier side next time but the beer has a bready malt backbone that is great, with a slight raisin/plum finish from the C150 which is a nice twist. The dry hop made the hops pop in the nose! I called this a Florida Red Ale for "style" with the citrusy hop nose and bready malt flavor.

[Kealia]

Wow, that's a beautiful color! My Levitation looks similar to that and I find myself constantly holding it up to the light to look at it the way you have it held.

Congrats on a pretty one!