Saturday, 20 September 2025

Let's Brew - 1885 Thomas Usher 100/-

A Thomas Usher 90/- Pale Ale label featuring a six-pointed star.
The strongest of Usher’s range of Shilling Ales was 100/-. A beer which very much looks like a strong Scotch Ale.

This particular example was a member of the parti-gyle which included the 80/- above. Not much to discuss about the recipe, them. Other than to remark that the black malt was added in the copper rather than the mash tun. Which is interesting. Barclay Perkins would add some of the black malt used in their Stouts to the copper, but not all of it.

Despite the strength, I don’t think that this was aged at all. Mostly based on the low level of hopping, which isn’t enough to form protection during ageing. 

1885 Thomas Usher 100/-
pale malt 15.25 lb 89.44%
black malt 0.30 lb 1.76%
No. 2 invert sugar 1.50 lb 8.80%
Cluster 120 min 1.50 oz
Strisselspalt 30 min 1.50 oz
Goldings dry hops 0.25 oz
OG 1078
FG 1032
ABV 6.09
Apparent attenuation 58.97%
IBU 25
SRM 17
Mash at 151º F
Sparge at 175º F
Boil time 120 minutes
pitching temp 60º F
Yeast WLP028 Edinburgh Ale

 

 

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