One Bitter ESB

This is my first batch - a customization of a kit that otherwise
intended that I use 8oz amber DME with 4 cups of sugar. Instead
of the sugar, I added a 3.3lb can of amber LME, plus I added
the EKG hops to supplement the 1oz cascade hops that were in the kit.
I intended to make an ESB, but I think its overhopped some - so its
a hybrid between a hoppy pale and the ESB. The 30 IBU measurement
seems to underestimate my perception of the bitterness of this beer.

Brewer:	McConnell		Email:	talentforthemind@yahoo.com
Beer:	One Bitter ESB		Style:	English Strong (Extra Special) Bitter
Type:	Extract		Size:	2.5 gallons
Color:	23 HCU (~13 SRM)		Bitterness:	30 IBU
OG:	1.058		FG:	1.017
Alcohol:	5.3% v/v (4.1% w/w)
Water:	I used tap water, filtered through a tap-mounted PUR Plus filter. (Philadelphia City water)
Boil:	60 minutes	SG 1.193	.75 gallons
	3.3 lb. Amber malt extract 8 oz. Amber dry malt extract
	Nothing but malt extract and hop pellets.
Hops:	1 oz. Cascade (6% AA, 60 min.) 1 oz. Kent Goldings (6.9% AA, 60 min.) .5 oz. Kent Goldings (6.9% AA, 10 min.) .5 oz. Kent Goldings (aroma)
Yeast:	1 packet of Danstar London yeast
Log:	Fermentation temp was in the low to mid 70's deg F (coolest I could keep it). This created a fast fermentation - tremendous activity and krausen within 6 hours. Everything stopped within 36 hours. I bottled after 5 days with a FG of 1.017. I added gelatin as a fining agent to the priming bucket. Dry-hopped with 1/4oz Fuggles hops 18 hours prior to bottling.
Carbonation:	1.0 volumes	Dried Malt Extract: 0.40 oz. for 2.4 gallons @ 71°F
	I didn't follow the priming suggestion above - I added 5/8 cup light DME (boiled for 10 minuntes) to the priming bucket. I estimated the final bottling volume at 2.4 gallons.
Tasting:	Tasting the bottles at various times, sweetish smell with only a little hop aroma. Early tastings: aroma was strong but little overall flavor and no mouthfeel. This gradually changed: the aroma lessened and the flavors blended and the mouthfeel/perceived body improved. At Day 10, carbonation is mild - no head, but some moderate lacing, with bubbles visible in the beer. Flavor is like a bitter ESB with less hop flavor than I'd hoped. Mouthfeel is coming together and should improve greatly with another week of conditioning. On a 5 point scale, my best objective rating is around 3 to 3.3.

Recipe posted 09/13/00.