Ah, the Irish Red Ale! It’s a classic style that’s been enjoyed for generations. This beer is known for its balance between maltiness and hop bitterness, with a beautiful red hue that comes from the addition of roasted barley. And of course, it’s a perfect beer to enjoy on St. Patrick’s Day (or any other day, really).
Ingredients:
- 6.6 lbs of liquid amber malt extract
- 1 lb of crystal malt (40L)
- 8 oz of roasted barley
- 1 oz of East Kent Goldings hops (60-minute boil)
- 1 oz of Fuggle hops (15-minute boil)
- Irish Ale yeast (such as White Labs WLP004 or Wyeast 1084)
- 5 oz of priming sugar (for carbonation)
Instructions:
- Heat 3 gallons of water in your brew pot and heat the water to about 160 degrees.
- Crush the crystal malt, and roasted barley and add them to a grain steeping bag.
- Place the bag in the pot and steep for 30 minutes.
- Remove the bag and discard the grains.
- Bring to a boil and add the amber malt extract. Stir well to dissolve the malt extract and prevent scorching.
- Add the East Kent Goldings hops to the pot and boil for 60 minutes.
- After 45 minutes of boiling, add the Fuggle hops to the pot.
- After 60 minutes of boiling, turn off the heat and cool the wort to about 70°F.
- Transfer the cooled wort to your sanitized fermenting vessel and top up to 5 gallons with cool water.
- Pitch the Irish Ale yeast and seal the fermenting vessel.
- Ferment at around 65°F for 1-2 weeks or until the fermentation activity subsides.
- Once fermentation is complete, transfer the beer to a bottling bucket and add the priming sugar.
- Bottle the beer, cap tightly, and store in a dark, cool place for about 2 weeks to carbonate, unless you are kegging.
Expected Stats:
- Original Gravity: 1.045
- Final Gravity: 1.013
- ABV: 4.2%
- IBU: 24
- SRM: 13
Did you know that the Irish Red Ale style was originally known as an Irish Amber Ale? The name was changed in the late 1800s to distinguish it from other amber ales that were being produced in England and Scotland.
And there you have it! A delicious Irish Red Ale that’s perfect for any occasion (especially St. Patrick’s Day). This beer is best enjoyed with friends and family, so why not brew a batch and share it with those you love? Sláinte!
