Two Fat Cats ESB

Brewer:	Scott		Email:	sseibel@esiral.com
Beer:	Two Fat Cats ESB		Style:	English Strong (Extra Special) Bitter
Type:	Extract w/grain		Size:	5.25 gallons
Color:	23 HCU (~13 SRM)		Bitterness:	31 IBU
OG:	1.049		FG:	1.013
Alcohol:	4.6% v/v (3.6% w/w)
Water:	Water crystals - 1 tsp. @ beginning
Grain:	1 lb. American crystal 60L 8 oz. American 6-row
Steep:	Steep 1 lb. Crystal Malt (80°) and 1/2 lb. Victory Malt (6° - this is not a typo).
Boil:	60 minutes	SG 1.103	2.5 gallons
	6 lb. 6 oz. Light malt extract
	Bring to boil. Add 6.6 lb. LME and boil 15 minutes. Add 2 oz. of Tettnang hops. Boil 45 minutes. Add 0.5 oz. Cascade and 0.5 oz of Willamette hops and 1 Tbl. Irish moss. Boil 10 minutes. Add 0.5 oz of Cascade and 0.5 oz. of Willamette hops. Boil 5 minutes. Remove from heat and cool.
Hops:	2 oz. Tettnanger (5.6% AA, 60 min.) .5 oz. Cascade (6.2% AA, 15 min.) .5 oz. Willamette (4.8% AA, 15 min.) .5 oz. Cascade (aroma) .5 oz. Willamette (aroma)
Yeast:	1 Smack Pack of Wyeast 1098.
Log:	This beer fermented quite quickly and was ready to bottle after 1 week. While the OG was low (~1.043), the FG was right on target at 1.012. The color ended up a couple of shades lighter than the Recipator called for. I'm guessing that the steeping effeciency of the grains was less than 40%, which would account for the low OG.
Carbonation:	Added 3/4 cup of corn sugar in 1/2 cup of water.
Tasting:	Tasted after 1 week. Wow! I am going to love this beer. Not too bitter, as per style. Hop flavor excellent. Fruity/floral to start with a spicey aftertaste. Good mouth feel. Good aroma. This is only the 5th batch I've ever brewed, but it is a real keeper. I will definitely brew this recipe again without changes.

Recipe posted 08/07/02.