Mr. Beer Ale

This is a recipie sized for the Mr. Beer 2.5 gallon "keg" fermenter. I've been successful with this recipie and it creates a very smooth dark ale that reminds of Honker's Ale from Goose Island Brewery in Chicago.

Brewer:	Clbe		Email:	cbrowne@interaccess.com
Beer:	Mr. Beer Ale		Style:	Ale
Type:	Extract w/grain		Size:	2.5 gallons
Color:	34 HCU (~17 SRM)		Bitterness:	12 IBU
OG:	1.057		FG:	1.011
Alcohol:	5.9% v/v (4.7% w/w)
Water:	All water is Brita filtered tap water from lovely Schaumburg, IL.
Grain:	.5 lb. American crystal 20L
Steep:	Specialty grains are added to cold water in a mesh bag. They are steeped until the water is 160° then the bag is removed and allowed to drip dry into the wort.
Boil:	60 minutes	SG 1.095	1.5 gallons
	3 lb. Amber dry malt extract
Hops:	.5 oz. Cascade (5.4% AA, 60 min.) .5 oz. Cascade (aroma)
Yeast:	Wyeast American Ale II smack-pak. Start the yeast at least 12 hours prior to the boil.
Log:	Fermentation was slow to start. It took about 36 hours to get visible activity. Primary fermentation takes about a full 7 days to complete.
Carbonation:	2.0 volumes	Corn Sugar: 1.39 oz. for 2.25 gallons @ 69°F
	Boil the corn sugar in about 2 pints of water for several minutes to sterilize. Let it cool to room temprature. Pour into bottling bucket THEN rack from the Mr. Beer to the bottling bucket. I let it settle for about 2 hours prior to bottling.

Recipe posted 02/07/99.