To Helen Bock

Malty yet light version bock. I'll be taking a road trip with a few bottles of this to Helen, GA in a few weeks, so seemed an appropriate name.

Brewer:	Christo		Email:	-
Beer:	To Helen Bock		Style:	Helles Bock
Type:	All grain		Size:	5 gallons
Color:	11 HCU (~8 SRM)		Bitterness:	29 IBU
OG:	1.067		FG:	1.015
Alcohol:	6.7% v/v (5.3% w/w)
Water:	moderate soft water
Grain:	6.5 lb. German Pilsner 4.5 lb. German Munich
Mash:	70% efficiency
	Mashed in thick at 122F for 20 min, then added boiling water to 154F for 55 min. Batch sparged from there. Would do a decoction next time to get fully malt flavor.
Boil:	70 minutes	SG 1.056	6 gallons
	1 lb. Light dry malt extract
	IM at 15 min.
Hops:	.6 oz. Magnum (13.6% AA, 60 min.)
Yeast:	WL0833 Bock Yeast. 3.5L starter.
Log:	Interesting log. Placed in fridge (highest temp achievable was 46F - though reads 52F at top of fridge where thermometer was), after 4 weeks removed to perform diacetyl rest - SG was only down to 1.035 - assuming due to cold ferment. Took off immediately (< 30 min) on vigorous ferment - decided to keep out and put fermenter in cooler with ice blocks which kept it around 60F for 3 days at which time it had calmed down - racked to carboy SG at 1.019 and put back in fridge for 10 weeks at 38F.
Carbonation:	Medium carbonation
Tasting:	The reason I don't brew too many lagers - too much worry/too much time/too little beer around the house in the meantime. Still, this turned out to be one fine brew in the end. Malt-sided as a bock should be but has some hops to back it up nicely. Still slight diacetyl and tinge of apple fruitiness not expecting. Next time will plan to do decoction mash as melanoidan maltiness not as big as several commercial examples I've tried. Made its official debut on the first day of spring.

Recipe posted 03/21/08.