Let's Brew - 1940 Fullers No. 2 PA

Late in 1940, Fullers introduced a new Pale Ale, No. 2 PA. Slightly odd, as the three they already brewed seemed like too many.

In terms of strength, it was about exactly halfway between XK and PA, which I suppose was the idea. Though exactly why they needed a half Best Bitter, I’m not sure. Perhaps it replaced the old PA in some pubs.

Not that a huge amount of No. 2 PA was being brewed. In this four-way parti-gyle, just 27 barrels were No. 2. While there were 162.5 barrels of PA, 100 barrels of XK and 2 barrels of AK. It’s odd that the strongest example was the one most was being brewed of.

There hasn’t really been much fiddling with the recipe. Just the flaked maize has been replaced by flaked rice. Something which I’ve observed at multiple breweries in 1940. Meaning it was a change that was dictated rather that chosen.

The oddest feature is that, with all the other Pale Ales having been dropped, it was brewed single-gyle. Something Fullers had never done with their Pale Ales.

Not much to report about the hops. They were all English and all from the 1939 harvest.

1940 Fullers No. 2 PA
pale malt	8.75 lb	87.41%
flaked rice	1.00 lb	9.99%
No. 2 invert sugar	0.125 lb	1.25%
glucose	0.125 lb	1.25%
caramel 1000 SRM	0.01 lb	0.10%
Fuggles 90 min	1.50 oz
Goldings 30 min	1.50 oz
Goldings dry hops	0.50 oz
OG	1042.5
FG	1012
ABV	4.03
Apparent attenuation	71.76%
IBU	39
SRM	5
Mash at	148º F
After underlet	154º F
Sparge at	168º F
Boil time	90 minutes
pitching temp	61º F
Yeast	WLP002 English Ale