Salmon Fly v6

Mashing together versions 2, 3, and 5. Version 4 was an IPL and didn't resemble the target style at all (though it was terrific as an IPL). Version 2 was too complicated (6 base grains, saaz + cascade hops) and version 3 was too big (7%). Version 5 has a confused profile, is too spicy from the rye, and the Kolsch yeast never really cleared up. Avoid a dry hop because hop creep is terrifying. Plan to let it condition low and slow to clear up.

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Brew notes 28 Feb 21:

Strike water heated to 153 deg F with 1g each epsom and table salts, gypsum, and calcium chloride.

Stirred after 20 mins and pulled pH reading which was in the 5.8 range. Need more salts or acid malt next time.

Previous brew notes:

150deg strike water gave 144deg initial mash with 7# pils and 2# rye. Used faucet and not RO, pH after 20 mins was 5.84 and temp was around 140, added 2g gypsum (initially used 3g) and took another pH reading which was 5.93. Raised temp to 152. After 40 mins in the high 140s/ low 150s (60 mins total) raised temp to 165.

10 min hop stand at 130degF.

Pre-boil gravity indicated efficiency at 84%. Once the honey was added, OG was around 1.055.

Chilled in the fermentation chamber for approx 2 hours before pitching decanted 3L starter.

Amarillo: Specific aroma descriptors include grapefruit, orange, lemon, melon, apricot and peach

Simcoe: Specific aroma descriptors include passion fruit, pine, berry and earth characteristics

Would like to try using 10 gals of water between mash/sparge and leave a rolling boil for 60 mins to see if we can get from 8.5 pre boil to 6.5 post boil. I think more sparge water would help with efficiency.

Hop ideas:
Southern Cross: citrus, lime, pine, spice, lemon zest
Summer: citrus, apricot, melon
Pioneer: lemon, citrus
Medusa
Enigma: raspberries
Fantasia: cream, caramel

Aroma (v3): subtle honey, minimal hoppyness. Surprising considering the amount of hop, especially the dry hop.

Taste (v3): slightly more than subtle honey and rye, which is less desirable than major honey and rye in v2. The 5oz of cascade don't come through at all except for in extremely clean bitterness and extreme grapefruit flavor on the back end. Grapefruit was not the goal of this beer but that is the overwhelming flavor note. Cascade would obviously make for a terrific grapefruit IPA and this beer is quite enjoyable but I am curious to see if there could be a better hop pairing for the honey and rye, especially in a lager.

Aroma (v4): Amarillo dominates with orange up front; citrus, grapefruit, and subtle pear. Malt not perceptible behind the substantial hops.

Taste (v4): A bit more body that you'd expect given how light the color is, the hops create a rounded mouthfeel initially that gives way to a clean and dry lager finish. It would be more dry with noble instead of fruity hops and less alcohol, which is not necessarily an issue. This is a well-rounded beer with major flavor and aroma that stays crisp enough that you actually want to drink a few (looking at NEIPA with skeptical, afraid eyes).