Let's Brew Wednesday - 1951 Adnams XXXX

One of my favourite types of beer is a good old Southern Old Ale. Which is basically just a strong Mild.

The details might have changed a little, but Adnams still brew an Old Ale similar to this. Simply a beefed up version of their Mild. The grist is much the same a XX Mild. Just with a little more of everything.

Adnams have continued to brew a draught beer in this style right up until the present. The OG is a bit lower, but it’s definitely still along these lines.

Amber malt is slightly odd in this type of beer. Which might be why Adnams dropped it a couple of years later, replacing it with more crystal malt.

1951 Adnams XXXX
mild malt	9.75 lb	84.20%
amber malt	0.50 lb	4.32%
crystal malt 80 L	0.50 lb	4.32%
No. 3 invert sugar	0.75 lb	6.48%
caramel 1000 SRM	0.08 lb	0.69%
Fuggles 120 min	2.00 oz
Goldings 30 min	0.75 oz
OG	1053
FG	1017.5
ABV	4.70
Apparent attenuation	66.98%
IBU	35
SRM	16
Mash at	148º F
Sparge at	170º F
Boil time	120 minutes
pitching temp	59º F
Yeast	WLP025 Southwold

This recipe appears in my book about UK beer after WW II. You can buy it here:

http://www.lulu.com/content/paperback-book/austerity/23181344