St Peter’s India Pale Ale
This kit also comes with a sachet of Goldings hop powder of which we used only half. Judging by the bitterness of ales we have made so far we would say it has never been necessary to use a full sachet of hop powder. Frankly I can only imagine a full pack would render a brew undrinkable.
Racked after a week fermenting this beer looks pretty clear but the hydrometer reading was only 1030. We added approx 1/2 tsp of yeast to the racked beer in the hope of stimulating some further fermentation over the next week. After a further week we barrelled the beer before leaving to stay a few days in the West Country. We were in a hurry and neglected to take the final hydrometer reading. I can’t imagine it was fully fermented.
After 3 1/2 weeks in the barrel we have decided to try a taste of this brew. I had failed to take a hydrometer reading before barrelling this beer so I poured a glass and left it to let the froth settle. The glass revealed a wonderfully rich hazelnut coloured ale, if a little hazy. I imagine this haze will dissipate shortly. A hydrometer reading at this stage suggests that the fermentation didn’t go the distance, which has been the story of this summer with all our brewing. Starting at 1047, I would expected a drop to 1010 after fermentation, but today it reads only 1017 instead.
Some further fermentation took place in the barrel but total conversion to alcohol clearly did not occur. We reckon this ale is only about 4.2% ABV whereas it is supposed to be 5.5%. That said my experience drinking St Peter’s IPA was not unpleasant and suggested a strong brew. The very rich hoppy flavour I’m sure is on account of the Goldings hop powder we added. I would not use so much if I make this brew again.