American Pale Ale

This was the best beer I have ever made.

Ionia Pale Ale the first beer I plan to make a second time

brewed on Thanksgiving’05 w. Damon Hershey

5 gallons- OG: 1.062 FG: 1.014 IBUs:51

12 lbs pale
1 lb munich
.75 lb crystal
.5 lb victory

Mashed at 150 for 60-70 minutes. Recirculated, drained.

.5 oz Willamette -FWH
.25 oz Chinook – FWH

Batch Sparge- collected 7 gallons, boiled for nearly 2 hours (began boil, ate Thanksgiving dinner, then added the bittering hops)

.5 oz Chinook 60
1 oz willamette 5
.25 Chinook Flame out

.5 oz Willamette in fermenter with
yeast US 56
Fermented at 68 for ten days,

transfered to secondary with 1 oz Chinook Dry Hop

Notes- Used 4 gallons of RO water from the store. I was thinking about our ph7-water, and tried to get away from any bitterness or mash problems due to water issues.

The RESULT: Most balanced beer yet. Great hop nose, lingering resinous and fruity (possibly from fermentation temp?) flavor. Mild bitterness and malty-sweetness.

MUST BREW AGAIN>.. maybe 10 gallons this time