What are your Top 3 AKs?

So having just re-read this thread it occurs to me that it would be great if @JackHorzempa and @herrburgess could identify the other home brewers (e.g., @wesbray seems to be a home brewer and @cavedave certainly is) in the crowd and see about organizing the brewing of an AK. We might see some positive out come from this thread. And I bet Ron would even be willing to consult, etc.

For a variety of reasons I'd suggest the Fuller's receipe that Ron and his colleague have worked out since it does seem to be successful. I know that there are at least 4-5 homebrewers self idenified in this thread and if each of them undertook to do their own batch of the Fullers's AK recipe, share their experiences, and report back to the rest of the thread on their judgments of the beer they brewed.... Indeed, they might even decide to do a second batch on a collaborative basis combining what each has learned and then Ron could sample it and report his evaluation.

 

I'm game.

 

I would be too, if I can telecommute.

 

Yes, it would have to be done that way. Worst case would seem to be a thread in the home brewing forum where those who are game shared ideas, technique and so forth. Who knows that might even attract a few other people who are game to try something new/old and share results. And of course depending on the level of trust that can be established amongst the participants there is also always Skype which handles small group chats etc., relatively anonymously.

 

Edit: After all if the Trading Forum can support such things as a BIF, seems like the homebrewing forum ought to be able to support a collaborative homebrewing effort... Right?

 

Just so you know, lots of us Americans do already know that. And given that I recently finished of a six pack of Yard's Brawler (a decent Mild brewed in Philly) I don't find it weird at all. :-)

 

Yes, I've been meaning to withdraw that piece for some time - it's wrong, and I've now taken it down. Stand by for a revived version shortly.

 

It indulged in unwarranted speculation. That's why I've finally taken it down.

 

Please let us know when a new one goes up.

 

Today I even got to drink an AK, gotta say it was a good day.

 

Geez, tough crowd.

Sounds a lot like a cream ale

 

Can you elaborate on where you got it and your impressions of it? Thanks.

 

He was paraphrasing Ice Cube for laughs, presumably.

 

Never had an AK. Barely know what it is based on reading this. Does it matter? How many of you had had a Gose 2-3 years ago? Now there are a bunch of them, and people trade for them. If somebody in the U.S. makes an AK and if it is any good, and if we collectively like the style, it will take off. If not, it's relative obscurity on this side of the pond is somewhat deserved.

Pretty Things brews all kinds of forgotten recipes and styles. Checked the website, and surprise surprise, it seems that Pretty Things teams up with Ron on some (all?) of these these. http://www.oldbeers.com/ I don't see an AK, but I would be happy to try one if Ron has PT brew one. I've had at least three of the other Once Upon a Time beers.

 

Can we figure out what an AK is first?
ITT: lower-gravity, lighter coloured, less-hopped, but also not lightly hopped, light and bitter, stable in price, and not Ankel Keut.
Presumably not all bitters are AK - are all AK bitters? What is the difference between Fuller's AK and Fuller's Chiswick?

 

Clearly a important first step, which might be taken by using the Fullers AK recipe on the Barclay Perkins web site and the link to the home brewers web site of some one who tried or one of the others. That's where we begin to have to rely on people like @cavedave and @wesbray to do a bit of homework on feasibility, selection among available recipes. One thing certain is that given my experience.... Basically I'm just a simple drinker of beer and have no special talent in history or brewing.

 

I'm likely nowhere near the homebrewer the other BA's you mentioned are, but I'd be interested in trying to brew an AK myself.

 

The McMullen AK was already discussed in this thread. That beer is not light colored.

Below is what I posted previously:

“Thanks for that link. I was a little bit surprised to see that chocolate malts were used to brew the McMullen AK.

Cheers!

“Brewed est. 1833

McMullen AK

Cask - 3.7%

As one of the longest established ales in the UK, the quality of AK comes from 180 years of brewing experience at The Whole Hop Brewery. Our award-winning bitter uses a carefully balanced mixture of pale ale and chocolate malts to give a soft malty taste, while WGV hops give a light fragrant aroma and clean finish. A popular and refreshing easy-drinking bitter.Cyclops:

Cyclops - BITTER / ABV 3.7%

See - DARK AMBER

Smell - MOLASSES / DARK CHOCOLATE

Taste - HOPPY / SUBTLE SWEET

Bitter - 2 / 5

Sweet - 2 / 5”

 

My guess is a chat with @cavedave would be fruitful. I'm guessing here but it seems to me strong interest in trying to brew an AK would be helpful and important if a group of people were each to try out the recipe and share techniques and ideas.

 

Afterthought.

I also suspect that it wouldn't be hard to get @patto1ro to point to his preferred recipe and chat a bit about why, and what to expect as an outcome.