Wednesday 24 May 2023

Let's Brew Wednesday - 1911 Russell XX

Unlike most big London brewers, Russell was still producing more than one Mild Ale. Logically enough, the next one up the strength pole was XX.

There’s an essentially identical grist to X. Which I suppose isn’t a great surprise. Though both beers were brewed single-gyle. Why would that be? Well, one element of the recipe did differ: the hopping rate. X was hopped at 6.1 lbs per quarter (336 lbs) of malt. While XX had 8.77 lbs. That greater hopping rate is reflected in the considerably higher (calculated) bitterness.

Exactly the same hops were employed as in X (as you’ll see, they pop up in all of their beers): English from the 18908 and 1910 harvests. And in the same proportions, too/ One third old, two thirds fresh. 

1911 Russell XX
pale malt 7.75 lb 71.26%
flaked maize 0.75 lb 6.90%
No. 1 invert sugar 2.25 lb 20.69%
caramel 1000 SRM 0.125 lb 1.15%
Fuggles 90 mins 1.25 oz
Fuggles 90 mins 1.25 oz
Fuggles 30 mins 1.25 oz
Goldings dry hops 0.50 oz
OG 1055
FG 1015
ABV 5.29
Apparent attenuation 72.73%
IBU 42
SRM 14
Mash at 149º F
Sparge at 168º F
Boil time 90 minutes
pitching temp 60º F
Yeast Wyeast 1768 English Special Bitter

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