Memo #1: Grain Bill Briefing Report
Brewing Science
PURPOSE: Grain has sugar – right? We can ferment anything with sugar, right??? Beer comes in many different styles - stout, porter, lager, pilsner, lambic, IPA, ale, gose, and “other grain such as wheat/rye/corn. Let’s explore beer and the options for creation. This assignment asks you to create a beer recipe for a beer you might brew someday. It requires reading and consideration of sugars, spices, and yeasts. Additionally, you must also research and present the story of an historic beer and a general recipe for an historic beer, although it SHOULD NOT be your Grain Bill recipe.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Please complete the following tasks:
Task 1: Story of an Historic Beer
Research the story of an historic beer – single editions for an occasion, something for a recurring celebration, something from ancient history or even the origin story of a contemporary style. Help us know the context of the brew, the ingredients and what set(s) it apart, and the process. Address questions such as spices, sugars, yeasts, customs, purposes. Even imagine or include the recipe.
Task 2: Create you Grain Bill
Create a grain bill for a beer you would like to brew someday. Read to create the recipe from grain/malts/sugars, yeast, and hops/spices. Assure the ingredient amounts are appropriate to a 3 or 5-gallon batch.
Discuss the reasons for choices among ingredients. Identify the style for which you aim and the finishing characteristics you expect to achieve. Write the directions you would follow to brew the batch.
Find and read at least 5 empirical articles (last 3 years) about the various ingredients. Expect to use reputable trade publications among your sources. You will find Designing Great Beers by R. Daniels as well Malt Charts from the Malting Association useful references.
Prepare to explain your findings for each of the two topics in class.
Please word process the report, number the pages and ensure your name is on the product.