Let's Brew - 1914 Courage X

At the start of WW I, London Milds were still powerful beasts, clocking in at over 5% ABV. Though the war would end up emasculating them forever.

The most notable aspect of the grist is the absence of any type of adjunct. Something which leaves them standing out from the cast majority of UK brewers, who used some type of unmalted grain. Usually in the form of flaked maize.

Otherwise, the grist is pretty simple. Just pale, crystal and a tiny dab of black malt. The latter is slightly unusual in a Mild Ale of this period. And is presumably there principally for colour. As is the sugar. Though the type of sugar isn’t specified. No. 3 invert is just my guess.

There are three types of hops: English from the 1912 and 1914 harvests along with Hallertau from 1912. The latter is quite amusing, as this beer was brewed in October 1914, a few months after the start of the war.

1914 Courage X
pale malt	9.75 lb	82.28%
crystal malt 60 L	0.75 lb	6.33%
black malt	0.10 lb	0.84%
No. 3 invert sugar	1.25 lb	10.55%
Fuggles 120 mins	0.75 oz
Fuggles 60 mins	0.75 oz
Hallertau 30 mins	0.75 oz
OG	1055
FG	1015
ABV	5.29
Apparent attenuation	72.73%
IBU	26
SRM	15.5
Mash at	151º F
Sparge at	181º F
Boil time	120 minutes
pitching temp	60º F
Yeast	Wyeast 1099 Whitbread Ale