Saturday 22 April 2023

Let's Brew - 1884 Mew Langton Family Pale Ale

A range of Pale Ales was brewed by Mew Langton. The weakest of which was FA. Which I assume stood for “Family Ale”.

It’s weaker than their Mild Ale, which was pretty typical for a Light Bitter, which is what this is. Despite its fairly modest gravity, a very high degree of attenuation leaves it not far short of 6% ABV.

There’s not a lot going on in the grist, which consists of just base malt and sugar. Two types of the latter, though there was only a tiny amount of No. 1 invert. The vast majority being in the form of No. 2 invert. I’m not sure what the point was in using such a small amount of No. 1. Especially as it cost quite a bit more than No. 2 – 17 shillings a hundredweight compared to 15 shillings.

A fairly simple mashing scheme was employed: a single infusion, followed by three sparges, all at 175º F.

The hops were mostly Kent, with rather smaller quantities of American and Bavarian. All coming from the 1883 crop.

1884 Mew Langton Family Pale Ale
pale malt 9.25 lb 87.06%
No. 1 invert sugar 0.125 lb 1.18%
No. 2 invert sugar 1.25 lb 11.76%
Cluster 90 mins 0.75 oz
Hallertau 90 mins 0.75 oz
Fuggles 60 mins 1.25 oz
Fuggles 30 mins 1.25 oz
Goldings dry hops 0.25 oz
OG 1050
FG 1005.5
ABV 5.89
Apparent attenuation 89.00%
IBU 53
SRM 7.5
Mash at 148º F
Sparge at 175º F
Boil time 90 minutes
pitching temp 62º F
Yeast Wyeast 1275 Thames Valley ale

 

 

1 comment:

Toucando said...

Ron. A family ale in more ways than one. The AK family, yes? I reckon the original record is destined for bottling. The small proportion of number one invert, added post-fermentation, is just right for achieving 1.6 volumes of CO2 bottle pressure at 18 degrees C. I'll give it a go on that basis.