Wednesday 6 March 2024

Let's Brew Wednesday - 1899 Barclay Perkins KK

I'm still chipping away at the recipes for my book "Free!". Even though it's not my current focus. Because if I don't, it'll be a nightmare trying to write hundreds of recipes at short notice.

By the end of the century, Barclay Perkins seems to have cut back to just a single Burton Ale, the weaker KK. Though that’s just relative. It still weighs in at over 7% ABV.

There have been some changes to the recipe since 1891. Out is the crystal malt, replaced by more base malt.  While in comes a little caramel. For which there can only be one reason: colour. And it does more than make up for the crystal malt in that regard.

As in a lot of their beers from this period, there are two types of East Kent hops from the 1898 and 1899 harvests. Which leave it pretty hoppy and a (calculated) 100 IBU.

I’m pretty sure this would have been at least a semi-Stock Ale. Which means six to twelve months secondary conditioning. Probably in trade casks, but possibly in a small vat. Along with Brettanomyces, of course. 

1899 Barclay Perkins KK
pale malt 11.50 lb 72.83%
flaked rice 1.75 lb 11.08%
No. 2 invert sugar 2.50 lb 15.83%
caramel 2000 SRM 0.04 lb 0.25%
Goldings 120 mins 3.00 oz
Goldings 60 mins 3.00 oz
Goldings 30 mins 3.00 oz
Goldings dry hops 1.00 oz
OG 1075
FG 1020
ABV 7.28
Apparent attenuation 73.33%
IBU 100
SRM 15
Mash at 147º F
After underlet 156º F
Sparge at 170º F
Boil time 120 minutes
pitching temp 60º F
Yeast Wyeast 1099 Whitbread ale


2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Would this have been a couple of pints (or halves) after work at the clerks office or would it have been drunk as a session beer? Or would that depend upon the individual?

Anonymous said...

My question exactly how much did the average drinker back then drink per pub visit.
Oscar