Season's Best

This is a beer to sip and savour. Great at a holiday party with food.

Brewer:	Sabrills		Email:	sabrills70@comcast.net
Beer:	Season's Best		Style:	Winter Lager
Type:	Extract w/grain		Size:	5 gallons
Color:	16 HCU (~10 SRM)		Bitterness:	11 IBU
OG:	1.075		FG:	1.012
Alcohol:	8.1% v/v (6.4% w/w)
Water:	Plain ol tap.
Grain:	1 lb. American crystal 40L
Steep:	Steeped the crystal in cheesecloth at 160 for 30 minutes
Boil:	60 minutes	SG 1.188	2 gallons
	3.3 lb. Light malt extract 3 lb. Light dry malt extract 2.5 lb. Honey
	In the last 10 minutes of the boil add 1 tsp grated fresh ginger, 2 tsp each of nutmeg and cinnamon, peels from 4 oranges, and 1/2 tsp irish moss.
Hops:	1.5 oz. Cascade (6.6% AA, 60 min.) .5 oz. Cascade (6.6% AA, 5 min.) .5 oz. Cascade (6.6% AA, 2 min.)
Yeast:	White Labs German Lager WLP830
Log:	Primary ferment: 14 days at 50 degrees in plastic Seconday ferment: 31 days at 40 degrees in glass Primed with 3/4 cup corn sugar Bottles left at 50 degrees for 7 days to carbonate Lagered at 35 degrees for 30 days.
Tasting:	Clean, crisp and very hoppy. Next year I will reduce the hops and try this one as an ale. Will go great with cheese and sausage, nuts, and any traditional holiday party fare. Should age fairly well too.

Recipe posted 11/16/03.