Easy Blonde - Blonde Ale - Extract or AG

Easy Blonde Ale
Blonde Ale
Extract (AG version also posted)
5 Gal
1.046 OG
1.011 FG
4.7% ABV
4.25 SRM
22 IBUs Tinseth

Extract:
3 lb Briess Pilsen DME
3.15 Maillard Malts Maris Otter LME

All Grain:
50.5% Pilsner
47% Maris Otter
2.5% Carapils
Mash 155* for 60 Minutes

Hops:
15 - 1 oz Hersbrucker - 2.5% AA
10 - Nelson Sauvin - 12% AA

Yeast:
US05 Rehydrated, fermented @ 64* for first 4 days, slowly ramped to 68* after that

Water:
Distilled water + 1/2 tsp gypsum

Other:
20 Minute boil (extract)
Yeast nutrient
Whirlfloc

Notes:
I brewed this more for practice after a long lay off from brewing than anything, and it turned out very nice. Subtle hoppiness, and enough malt sweetness and flavor to keep things interesting. Could drink a handful of these in a hurry. If I brewed this again, I'd move the Hersbrucker to 5 and the Nelson to knock out and get the IBUs from a hop shot to get a bit more hop flavor and aroma, and do a full 60+ minute boil if I re-brew this as all grain. Would also consider swapping the 2.5% carapils for honey malt because I'm a sucker for honey malt.

Pic was taken a minute or two after pouring and there's a bit of condensation on the glass:


Cheers!

 

Even without kiddos running around it was nice to brew in 3 hours including set up and clean up. I do enjoy the all grain process though and will likely brew most of my batches as all grain, but I think I'll continue to occasionally brew with extract for convenience. FWIW the Maris Otter LME from midwest smells pretty awesome. I'll likely try a single malt extract batch with it at some point, either an English ale of some sort, or a pale/IPA.