Let's Brew Wednesday - 1896 Eldridge Pope Light Tonic Stout

Outside London, Porter was pretty much dead by the 1890s. In name, a least. Because there were lots of lower-gravity Stouts that were much like Porters, in terms of strength. Quite often these were exclusively bottled beers. With named like Luncheon Stout, Nourishing Stout or Tonic Stout.

Another trend in Black Beers in the 19h century was a simplification of the grist. With brown malt being dropped, leaving a grist of just pale and brown malt. Which is why I was surprised to see brown malt here. Making it resemble a London grist.

There are no adjuncts, interestingly. Adjuncts were pretty common by this point, and appear in most of Eldridge Pope’s beers. There are, however, two types of sugar. Caramel and something described as “BS”. I’ve substituted No. 3 invert for the latter.

Three types of hops were employed, two English and one Oregon. Unfortunately, there’s no indication of their age.

This beer wouldn’t have been aged and would probably only been available in bottled form.

1896 Eldridge Pope Light Tonic Stout
pale malt	8.00 lb	71.49%
brown malt	0.875 lb	7.82%
black malt	0.875 lb	7.82%
No. 3 invert	1.25 lb	11.17%
caramel 1000 SRM	0.19 lb	1.70%
Cluster 150 mins	1.50 oz
Fuggles 60 mins	1.50 oz
Fuggles 30 mins	1.50 oz
OG	1051
FG	1019.5
ABV	4.17
Apparent attenuation	61.76%
IBU	66
SRM	38
Mash at	154º F
Sparge at	174º F
Boil time	150 minutes
pitching temp	60º F
Yeast	WLP002 English Ale