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Redbeard Scottish Pirate Ale

For my 40th birthday, I decided to have a blowout "Pirate Looks at 40" bash and provide my own homebrew recipe for the beer (along with an open liquor bar). This Scottish Red Ale was a huge hit with pirates and wenches alike... we finished off 20 gallons (4 corny kegs) in just a few hours. I should've made more...
I also bottled two batches and gave the bottles away as party favors. Check out the labels here: http://www.eaglesongs.com/pirateale.html

Brewer: Hickory Bluff Brewing Co. Email: brewers@eaglesongs.com
URL: http://www.eaglesongs.com
Beer: Redbeard Scottish Pirate Ale Style: Scottish Light Ale
Type: Extract w/grain Size: 5 gallons
Color:
24 HCU (~13 SRM)
Bitterness: 12 IBU
OG: 1.052 FG: 1.010
Alcohol: 5.4% v/v (4.3% w/w)
Grain: .5 lb. Wyermann CaraRed
.25 lb. Simpson's crystal medium
2 oz. Simpson's chocolate
.25 lb. Golden Naked Oats
Steep: The grain mixture was steeped from room temp until about 160° then removed.
Boil: 60 minutes SG 1.104 2.5 gallons
3.15 lb. Light malt extract
1 lb. Amber dry malt extract
1 lb. Honey
1 lb. Honey
2nd addition of Honey at 15 min remaining
Hops: 1 oz. Kent Goldings (5% AA, 60 min.)
Yeast: Wyeast Scottish Ale #1728
Log: To date, I have brewed 8 batches of this recipe. Six were kegged, two bottled. Primary fermentation at approx 70° for 2 weeks, secondary also at 70° for two weeks. Times in the keg (and bottles) vary greatly (min of 2 weeks).
Carbonation: Kegs were force-carbonated with CO2, bottles were carbonated with corn sugar - standard mixture (.75 cup/5 gal.). I experimented with carbonating the bottles using tropical fruit liqueurs, but I didn't like the result - way too sweet.
Tasting: The initial batch was darker and not quite as red as I expected, so I backed off on the chocolate and added more Wyermann CaraRed (reflected in recipe posted). I will continue to brew this recipe without changes. I love the flavor and aroma of the Kent Goldings hops (also used in a couple other recipes).
The beer has a slightly sweeter taste than the other Scottish Ale we brew, but not overwhelming. I love the color, flavor, and aroma. I have received countless compliments from beer snobs and laymen (and women) alike. Not too harsh, not too sweet, definitely not a wussy beer, it's a good beer to please a crowd with diverse tastes.

Recipe posted 08/04/10.