Saturday 8 October 2022

Let's Brew - 1909 Truman London Keeper

While the classier Pale Ales – P1 and P2 – the weakest, London Keeper, was produced in London. Along with X, it was the only Ale made at Brick Lane.

Despite the name, it was a Running Bitter. What today would be classed as an Ordinary Bitter. Though, especially in bottled form, back in the day it would probably been described as a Light Bitter.

The grist is dead simple: base malt and invert sugar. There aren’t even any adjuncts. Something which, by this time, was pretty standard. Especially in Pale Ales. Of course, there were multiple types of pale malt. Four in total, with one made from Californian barley.

Just the three types of hops: Worcester from the 1908 harvest cold stored, Hallertau from 1908 and Oregon from 1908. 

We brewed a slightly later version of this beer at Goose Island just a couple of days ago. Sadly, I doubt I'll ever get to taste it as it won't be bottled.

1909 Truman London Keeper
pale malt 6.50 lb 83.87%
No. 2 invert sugar 1.25 lb 16.13%
Cluster 90 mins 0.50 oz
Fuggles 90 mins 0.50 oz
Fuggles 60 mins 1.00 oz
Hallertau 30 mins 1.00 oz
OG 1046
FG 1012
ABV 4.50
Apparent attenuation 73.91%
IBU 40
SRM 7
Mash at 151º F
Sparge at 170º F
Boil time 90 minutes
pitching temp 60.5º F
Yeast Wyeast 1099 Whitbread Ale


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