if you never had a Brawler, it is a wonderful session beer brewed here in Philly. it is quite balanced with a surprisingly malty (bready with some caramel highlights) base with just a touch of, let's say "earthy" hops on the finish.
my version looks to re-create the malt profile, and to amp up the hops just a bit with a dash of late-addition Cascade to compliment the Willamette. The Columbus should primarily just provide some IBU, but I typically get a little earthy-citrus from them anyway so they would team up nicely if they come through in the end
Extra Innings Ale - brewed 7/12/2014 4 gallons post boil
- 2-Row: 5 lbs - Munich: 1 lb - C-60: 6 oz - C-120: 2 oz - Victory: 4 oz
- Columbus 1/8 oz @ 60 min (8.7 ibu) - Willamette 1/2 oz @ 20 min (5.6 ibu) - Cascade 1/2 oz @ 15 min (4 ibu)
- fresh smack pack of Wyeast 1968 London ESB
estimated: og ~1.046 - fg ~1.014 - ibu ~18 - abv ~4.3 actual (84%eff.): OG: 1.051 - IBU ~18 - abv 4.7%
fermentation began a little dicey, and it crept up to 74° while I was out playing baseball and watching the World Cup Final. it probably stayed there for 10 hours or so (was bubbling like a machine gun)...and this yeast strain is known for throwing fruity esters at that temperature. I cooled it back down to 68-69°, and the activity *sounds* like it has stopped. I am hoping that it is just slowed down, and I will take a reading to confirm in a few days. so, not an awesome start to this beer, but hopefully all is not lost.