West Coast Radical Red Ale

This is a Northern Brewer All-Grain kit that I wanted to try out. Haven't really done any Red Ales before, so let's see how it comes out!

From the package: "A gorgeous yet unassuming Crimson-colored brew, West Coast Radical Red is strikingly familiar in its smooth, copper body and distinctively American, crisp clean character. It's well balanced multi-grain backbone offers approachability, yet this radically malt and hop forward transformation of the classic red ale is fully deserving of a double-take. (now does that sound like a lot of bull?). Home-grown Cascade reminiscent of California grapefruit groves impart a citrus twist for a sessionable brew-next-door that's engagingly drinkable yet, without boasting, knows how to leave an impression."
I almost didn't buy it because of that description, but what the heck, I thought to give it a try. I really don't like it when people are talking about "hop-forward", this has become such a clichee. I does come with a lot of hops, and Chinook as the base load is pretty much a guarantee for strong hops flavor.

BREW DATE: 11/22/2014

BOTTLING DATE: 12/22/2014

GRAIN BILL: 10.625lbs total

-8.5lbs Briess 2-row Brewers Malt

-1.25lbs English Crystal Rye Malt

-0.75lbs Dingemans Cara 45 Malt
-0.125lbs English Roasted Barley

MASH-IN: 1 hr at 153F, Mash-out 10 min at 170F. Fly sparked with 175F water.

HOP SCHEDULE:

-60min 1oz Chinook

-20min 1oz Perle

-10min 1oz Centennial
-5min 1oz Cascade

OG: 13.7 brix for 14l wort filled up to 21l => alcohol content should come out at 4.8%. OG came out somewhat lower than predicted, so I didn't fill the fermenter all the way up.

YEAST: Wyeast American Ale II 1272

TASTE NOTES: Oh wow. This is a 5-star winter brew! Came out much stronger than what was predicted by the OG. I would say closer to 6% abv. Beautiful red color, very hoppy, lots of malt flavors, hints of coffee and tobacco aromas. Some caramel lingering in the end. Nice! Definitely a recipe that I can recommend. Never mind the boastful description, but this one is really good!

11lbs of malt, 4 different hops and a ready to burst yeast package!

West Coast Radical Red Ale: It is really red!