Age old question - What should I brew first?

[s_de_BEER Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close s_de_BEER]

Finally got all my basic AG equipment together and am eager to get brewing.

I am just wondering what you all would suggest as a simple 'novice' recipe?
I am thinking of an easy drinking session beer with a simple (read cheap, in case I screw up) grain and hop bill.

I'm strongly considering Edwort's Haus Pale Ale:
http://www.homebrewtalk.com/f66/bee-...ale-ale-31793/

I'd also like to know if Anyone has any other recipes using a similar combination of grains with perhaps something different here or there or different hop combination so I could maybe brew 2 batches and hedge my bets. Perhaps something darker and more forgiving to screwups.

Ideally I'd like to do lagers eventually, but that will have to wait till I have a freezer and sid controller.

[Beachless Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Beachless]

You dont mention the style of AG you are going to do?

But just keep it simple for the first few batches.
Single infusion mash
low weight grain bill
2 or 3 hop additions

A checklist is also a good idea so that you dont forget anything and can check things off as you go.
That way you know exactly whats going on at all times.

For instance:
Bring strike water to 70C
lightly stir in grains
check mash temperature is at 66C(adjust if necessary)
leave for 30 minutes
stir lightly, check mash temperature65C-66C(adjust if necessary)
Leave for 30 minutes
etc
etc

Dont worry too much about screwing up, if you keep to the check list you will still get a tasty beer.

[SimonB Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close SimonB]

That Haus Pale Ale looks like a pretty decent starting recipe

But as I have brewed from extremely simple to some complex brews, I have come to the conclusion that I would recommend the AG brewer do what what we call SMaSH (Single Malt and Single Hops). There are a number, in differing styles here.

I will be bottling a Saison tonight that was brewed based on these principles.

I agree with Beachless, make sure you prepare a checklist for each and every point along the way.

[s_de_BEER Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close s_de_BEER]

Thanks guys. Definitely planned to work via checklist with a buddy aspiring brewer double-checking everything!

I like the SMaSH concept and am considering trying a Vienna Smash with Centennial hops if I can find.

So at this stage think Im gonna go for a weekend session - brew Vienna Smash on saturday and Edworts on Sunday and will post some results in a few weeks.

Oh and in case I cant get what I want,
What would be an acceptable substitution for:
Centennial hops - Cascade maybe?
Crystal 10L malt - considering a mixture of Carapils and CaraBelge?

[FaanP Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close FaanP]

Crystal 10L I'll substitute with caramel ...

[SimonB Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close SimonB]

Carapils is not really a substitute for many malts - it adds body and aids in head retention. Personally I think Cascade is an overused hops in this country, so try something different. Amarillo is stunning (but expensive).

I'll post my Vienna Saison SMaSH recipe when I can connect to the BeerSmith Cloud

[s_de_BEER Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close s_de_BEER]

OK, after some reading I think the plan is as follows:

SMaSH Vienna and Perle.
Haus Pale Ale with CaraBelg instead of Crystal 10.

Fingers crossed.