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Kucumber Kölsch

Brewed: 07/31/2016   Kegged: 08/21/2016

kucumber.jpgAt some point, the SheppyBrew Beer Model became convinced that she likes cucumber flavor in Kölsch style beers. Not sure which brewery (or breweries) it was, but some at some brewery (or breweries) we tasted cucumber beers. 

I needed something to brew late July/ early August of 2016, and I thought a Kölsch style beer would be a good summer brew. It wasn't a huge leap to add the cucumbers.

As far as the recipe, I simple took Bad Lands Kölsch and added cucumbers to the secondary.

The only modifications were less hop flavor to let the cucumber come through and a higher mash temperature to add some body to counteract any water added through the cucumber. 

I was not sure how much cucumber to add, but I used the interwebs to find a recipe someone else had posted using cucumber in a Saison. I decided just to take that amount ... 3 pounds.

The rest is history. 

It is an easy drinking refreshing summer ale. Low in alcohol. Not a whole lot of hop flavor. Nice delicate malt flavor complimented by cucumber.

Pretty good.

For more about Kucumber Kölsch see Sheppy's Blog: Kucumber Kölsch

For more about Bad Lands Kölsch seeSheppy's Blog: Bad Lands



Kucumber Kölsch --- Batch 1

Style Kölsch Batch Size 5.50 gal
Type All Grain Boil Size   7.76 gal
Brewhouse Efficiency   70.00   Boil Time   90 minutes

Recipe Characteristics

Recipe Gravity 1.047 SG Estimated FG 1.013 SG
Recipe Bitterness 24.6 IBUs (Rager) Alcohol by Volume 4.4 %
BU : GU   0.521        
Recipe Color 3.8 SRM
Color
   
Measured OG:   1.047    Measured FG:   1.012 
ADF:   74    Measured ABV:   4.6% 

Ingredients

Ingredients
Amt Name Type # %/IBU
4.00 g Gypsum (Calcium Sulfate) (Mash 60.0 mins) Water Agent 1 -
9 lbs Pilsner (2 Row) Ger (2.0 SRM) Grain 2 69.2 %
1 lbs Vienna Malt (3.5 SRM) Grain 3 7.7 %
0.500 oz Hallertauer [2.70 %] - First Wort 90.0 min Hop 4 5.8 IBUs
0.250 oz Columbus (Tomahawk) [16.20 %] - First Wort 90.0 min Hop 5 17.4 IBUs
1.00 Items Whirlfloc Tablet (Boil 15.0 mins) Fining 6 -
0.500 oz Hallertauer [2.70 %] - Boil 15.0 min Hop 7 1.4 IBUs
1.00 tsp Yeast Nutrient (Boil 15.0 mins) Other 8 -
1.0 pkg Kolsch Yeast (Wyeast Labs #2565) [124.21 ml] Yeast 9 -
3 lbs Cucumber (1.0 SRM) Adjunct 10 23.1 %

Mash Profile

Mash Steps
Name Description Step Temperature Step Time
Mash In Add 12.50 qt of water at 168.2 F 156.0 F 45 min


Batch sparge with 2 steps (1.95gal, 3.88gal) of 168.0 F water

Recipe Notes
Make a starter a day or two before brew day.
4g gypsum in the mash water. This should bring Denver water profile (as defined by BeerSmith) to
Ca=59,Mg=8,Na=21,SO4=116,Cl=23,HCO3=104
Mash and boil as instructed.
Cool to below 60 degrees F. Maintain this temperature for a day or two, then let the yeast rise as it wants.
Ferment for 2 weeks.
Add Cucumber to secondary fermentor and rack beer on top. Let sit for another week.
Keg and carb to about 2.5 volumes.

Brewing Record

Brew Date:  8/31/2016 Strike Temp:   170
Mash Temps:  156 consistent whole time
Pre-boil OG   (1.038 SG)   Pre-boil Vol   (7.76 gal)
Actual Mash Efficiency   Pitch Temp   56 
Fermentation            
Day 1: Going strong 64
Day 2: Stronger 66  
Day ... 

 
Brewing Notes:
08/14/2016 esheppy
Gravity check. 1.012. Clean. Malt forward. Nice golden color. Ready to add cuccumbers.
08/14/2016 esheppy
Cut up cuccumbers, put them in carboy, and racked beer on top. Will let sit for awhile.
08/24/2016 esheppy
Kegged Sunday. Carbonating in the keggerator now.
09/04/2016 esheppy
Decent carbonation. Beautiful gold color. Decent clarity. Perhaps a bit much on the cucumber skin, but it is refreshing and tasty.
09/06/2016 esheppy
Thinking about doing a small blending batch to reduce the cucumber skin flavor. Maybe I should get the Beer Model to try it and weigh in.
09/09/2016 esheppy
The beer model says she likes this, but I have decided to blend this down a bit. 2 gallons of base beer.
09/11/2016 esheppy
Brewed 2 gallons of the base beer yesterday.
09/14/2016 esheppy
The blending beer doesn't seem active anymore, but there is still thick kraussen on top. Guess I'll leave it for another week and see what happens.
09/27/2016 esheppy
Racked the blending beer on the kumcumber. There really wasn't much kucumber, so it is mostly just Kölsch now.
09/27/2016 esheppy
Collected yeast for X-Mas Ale.
10/07/2016 esheppy
Beer has cleared some since putting the blending beer in. Still tastes like cucumber. Good.
10/14/2016 esheppy
Tonight the Kucumber Kölsch is tasting really good.
10/17/2016 esheppy
Killed the keg last night. Now I can keg up Falling Leaves.
Comments:
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