Homebrewing a Historical Ale

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by bambiere, Sep 23, 2025.

  1. bambiere

    bambiere Savant (1,055) Aug 25, 2025 Pennsylvania

    So, we're having a discussion in Beer Talk about Historical Ales and their brewing came up. Unfortunately, I no longer homebrew, so I was wondering if anyone here would be interested in brewing the following beer and then doing a beer trade for the result? Maybe a six pack for a six pack kind of thing? Hopefully we could discuss the brewing process here and then everyone involved could post reviews.

    Barclay Perkins 1855 East India Porter

    4 lbs Pearl Pale Ale Malt; Thomas Fawcet
    5 lbs Ashburne® Mild Malt; Briess
    2.75 lbs Brown Malt; Thomas Fawcett
    .5 lbs Amber Malt; Thomas Fawcett
    .125 lbs Roast Barley; Crisp

    Single infusion mash at 153F for 2 hours

    2.5 hour boil with:

    3 oz East Kent Goldings - 5.0 AA% pellets; boiled 90 min
    2 oz Spalt Spalter - 4.8 AA% pellets; boiled 15 min
    1 oz Spalt Spalter - 4.8 AA% pellets; boiled 1 min

    Wyeast 1098 British Ale™

    Barclay Perkins 1855 East India Porter | BeerTools

    Shut up about Barclay Perkins: Let's Brew Wednesday - 1840 Truman Export Stout
     
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  2. MrOH

    MrOH Grand Pooh-Bah (3,995) Jul 5, 2010 Virginia
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    I brewed the recipe that was originally on the Pretty Things website. As @patto1ro stated in comments on this recipe, it's a bit different.

    Anyhow, it turned out well, but wasn't the same as the Pretty Things version. I found that adding a very small amount of peated barley and going 50/50 Goldings/Fuggle got me a little bit closer.
     
  3. patto1ro

    patto1ro Pooh-Bah (2,084) Apr 26, 2004 Netherlands
    Pooh-Bah

    You couldn't use roast barley in 1885, as it was illegal. It should be black malt.
     
  4. bambiere

    bambiere Savant (1,055) Aug 25, 2025 Pennsylvania

    Heard.
     
  5. dmtaylor

    dmtaylor Savant (1,149) Dec 30, 2003 Wisconsin

    I'm interested. It won't happen overnight, maybe can brew this by like January or thereabouts as I already have other brews lined up. But the recipe looks tasty indeed. I've made a note of it and will get back to you later. And will be sure to sub black malt for the roasted barley. :slight_smile:
     
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  6. bambiere

    bambiere Savant (1,055) Aug 25, 2025 Pennsylvania

    That would be smashing!
     
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