My First Commissioned Brew & the Boss's Daughter

[kaisersozei]

My boss's daughter is getting married next September. (Sounds like the start of a joke, doesn't it) I've gifted him certain bottles of my homebrew in the past, and he's a fan. A few weeks ago, he asked if I'd be interested in brewing up a "commemorative" batch that he can serve & give away to guests at his daughter's wedding. At the time I was probably more flattered & excited than I was smart, so I said "Yes, of course!"

And then he went and sealed the deal by announcing it to our entire company at our Christmas party last week. So if I ever thought I could back out, I missed my window.

I'm supposed to meet with his daughter to review what kind of beer she wants to give, but my boss & I are thinking of some kind of lighter ale, just to appease everyone. He drinks Stella & the original Sam Adams Boston lager. My immediate thoughts are something like a Blonde Ale or similar style. I have this recipe that I've been wanting to try:


3# Light Dry Malt Extract
1# Rice Extract Solids/Syrup
8 oz 10L Crystal Malt
8 oz Malto-Dextrin

1/2 oz Centennial (10%) 20 min
1/4 oz Hallertauer (5%) 15 min
1/4 oz Hallertauer for 10 min post-flameout

Nottingham dry yeast

Calculator shows 4% ABV, 15 IBUs and SRM = 5.

Whatever recipe I settle on, I intend to brew a test batch in January (or a couple small batches with minor variations each) so that I can sample the results by April. The final beer should be brewed in May so it peaks by the wedding.

As if there wasn't enough pressure to get this right, my boss is well-connected politically because of the work we do at the state & federal levels. He knows the current & previous VA governors, senior staff, Obama administration officials and Cabinet-level folks. No telling who could be at this wedding.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gpn8MANhdLU

So I'm looking for helpful thoughts, suggestions or comments from my homebrewing brethren. I'll probably continue to update this thread as we approach D-Day.

Thanks!

Gerard

[hscmit]

good luck

[awsmith4]

You'll be in my thoughts and prayers


I am too new to homebrewing to offer advice but as far as beer goes I think a blonde ale or a witbier might be good crowd pleasers.

[BeerAdvocate]

I think you should stick to a lighter beer that everyone (even non micro's lovers) might like. Something like a blonde or an Amber (like an Alaskan Amber clone, I can post the recipe if you like)

Here is a recipe for a very popular Blonde recipe:

Ingredients:
------------
Amount Item Type % or IBU
5.00 lb Extra Light Dry Extract (3.0 SRM) Dry Extract 83.3 %
1.00 lb Cara-Pils/Dextrine (2.0 SRM) Grain 16.7 %
0.25 oz Centennial [9.50%] (45 min) Hops 7.8 IBU
0.25 oz Centennial [9.50%] (20 min) Hops 5.1 IBU
0.25 oz Cascade [7.80%] (10 min) Hops 2.5 IBU
0.25 oz Cascade [7.80%] (5 min) Hops 1.4 IBU
1 Pkgs Nottingham (Danstar #-) Yeast-Ale

[BeerAdvocate]

Also, alot of beer drinkers that start getting into Micros, like Blue Moon. So doing a Belgian Wit style would please alot of people. Austin Homebrew has a great kit that is similar to Blue Moon but taste alot better. It has orange peel and coriander seeds

http://www.austinhomebrew.com/produc...2679e2bbc91af9

I have the recipe for it also, if you want to build it yourself. But its alot easier to just buy the kit

[kaisersozei]

Originally Posted by BeerAdvocate

Also, alot of beer drinkers that start getting into Micros, like Blue Moon. So doing a Belgian Wit style would please alot of people.

Ahh, yea, I forgot about a witbeer, nice! That would also fix my concerns over clarity, and it doesn't matter if they don't pour it right and get some of the bottle conditioned yeast mixed in. I might run that idea by the bride, thanks!

That blonde ale recipe is real similar to the one I posted, Travis. Have you ever used rice extract? I thought that might lighten it up, but don't have any experience with it.

[yourchoice]

Best of luck Gerard...I've contemplated getting into home brewing, but have not as of yet...so no advice, just wishing you the best.

[Chingas]

I think we all need samples so we can give you an honest review!!!

How about some kind of Heffenweizer? They seem to be well like by many.

[BeerAdvocate]

Originally Posted by kaisersozei

Ahh, yea, I forgot about a witbeer, nice! That would also fix my concerns over clarity, and it doesn't matter if they don't pour it right and get some of the bottle conditioned yeast mixed in. I might run that idea by the bride, thanks!

That blonde ale recipe is real similar to the one I posted, Travis. Have you ever used rice extract? I thought that might lighten it up, but don't have any experience with it.

I have never used rice extract but I dont think it make that big of a difference.
There are 100s of people on Homebrewtalk that have brewed that Blonde recipe I posted for their non Micro brew friends and have got great results.
If I were you I would lean more towards the Belgian Wit/Blue Moon style

Good luck. Maybe you can be the next mega microbrew.

[Bill86]

Could go with a nice Doppelbock. Decently light and very flavorful. Good luck though

[kaisersozei]

Originally Posted by Chingas

I think we all need samples so we can give you an honest review!!!

I'll see what I can do Actually, I try to send samples out from time to time, maybe you should PM me your addy? Oh, and we just broke open a variety pack at the VCM holiday herf

http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/showpo...postcount=4721

Originally Posted by Chingas

How about some kind of Heffenweizer? They seem to be well like by many.

I'm liking that idea

[Chingas]

Heffenweizer style is my favorite but I'm only just getting back into beer. That's why I recommended it, cause If I like it after all these years, I think most will enjoy it as well. Not super hoppy like an IPA and not a meal like a stought.

Samples would be awesome but I'm not walking into that Trap!

[BlackDog]

Originally Posted by BeerAdvocate

Also, alot of beer drinkers that start getting into Micros, like Blue Moon. So doing a Belgian Wit style would please alot of people.

This.

[kelmac07]

Originally Posted by kaisersozei

maybe you should PM me your addy?

Do I sense someone about to get tossed under the bus?

[kugie]

Good Luck
Sounds Like a great Challenge

[akakirby]

Let me know if you need me to do some quality control testing!!!!

[kenstogie]

Perhaps bring a sampler of some classic styles and go from there. Many folks that are new to home brews like the heffe's I've made.

[Killian]

Here is my suggestion
http://www.homebrewtalk.com/f66/bee-...ale-ale-31793/

Read Eds description. This is a very simple recipe and the results are super. As he says, it is very quaffable and everyone likes it.

[nomadicwookie]

Originally Posted by akakirby

Let me know if you need me to do some quality control testing!!!!

Hey that's my line.