Common Californication 2

This is the second attempt at a California Common for me. Based upon the success of the previous batch, I thought that this would be the perfect summer sipper. Malty with a nice hop flavor and just the right amount of bitterness.

This time, I increased the hop amounts to boost the bitterness up to within style. The last time, the beer was a bit on the sweet side, although it was very good. To fit into this style, the bitterness needed to be between 30 and 45 IBUs. It stands at 36.

To complement the added hops, I increased the specialty grains a tad and added some German Light Munich to lend some body with nod towards European amber ales.

Brewer:	Geoff Humphrey		Email:	-
URL:	http://brewlog.zkdigital.com
Beer:	Common Californication 2		Style:	California Common
Type:	Extract w/grain		Size:	5.0 gallons
Color:	16 HCU (~10 SRM)		Bitterness:	34 IBU
OG:	1.051		FG:	1.010
Alcohol:	5.3% v/v (4.2% w/w)
Water:	Added Gypsum to the boil water, purified drinking water.
Grain:	0.99 lb. German Munich 7.9 oz. American crystal 40L 0.99 lb. British Carastan light
Steep:	Steep grains in 2.0 gallons of 160° water for 30 minutes Sparge with .5 gallon of 168-170° water
Boil:	60 minutes	SG 1.102	2.5 gallons
	5.94 lb. Light malt extract
	1/8 teaspoon of Super Irish Moss.
Hops:	1.0 oz. Northern Brewer (8.5% AA, 60 min.) .75 oz. Northern Brewer (8.5% AA, 45 min.) .25 oz. Northern Brewer (aroma)
Yeast:	White Labs San Francisco Lager. This strain "is used to produce the 'California Common' style beer. A unique lager strain which has the ability to ferment up to 65 degrees while retaining lager characteristics."
Carbonation:	2.5 volumes	Keg: 11.2 psi @ 38°F

Recipe posted 07/17/06.