I kicked off my Cry Havoc yeast adventures with a blonde ale. I wasn't sure if it would turn out more like a bitter, but after bringing it to my BJCP class, the teacher said this is a very nice blonde.
When fermented at ale temps, Cry Havoc gives a lot of apply/cherry like esters, while keeping a nice bready, malty base that makes for a well balanced ale. The northern brewer hops, used mostly for bittering here, give a nice spicy/bitter flavor that keeps you sipping away. And at under 5% ABV, you can easily have a few.
After this batch, I used the cake to brew a Helles Bock, which is finishing up now (and will report on later). When Cry Havoc is fermented at lager temps, the fruitiness goes away, and a sample revealed a nice bready maltiness. Cry Havoc is a low floculator, which doesn't seem to be a problem with the lager, but the ale was a bit hazy - even with whirlfloc added in the boil. If clarity is important, you may wish to cold crash an ale before kegging/bottling with this yeast.
Anyhoo, here's the blonde-ale recipe:
Wort Volume Before Boil: 8.00 US gals Wort Volume After Boil: 6.72 US gals Volume Transferred: 5.50 US gals Water Added: 0.00 US gals Volume At Pitching: 5.50 US gals Final Batch Volume: 5.00 US gals Pre-Boil Gravity: 1.036 SG OG: 1.047 SG FG: 1.012 SG ABV: 4.5 % IBU (using Tinseth): 32.9 Color: 5.7 SRM Apparent Attenuation: 73 % Mash Efficiency: 81.0 % Boil Duration: 60.0 mins Fermentation Temperature: 67 degF (ramp to lower 70's towards end) Fermentables Maris Otter Pale Ale Malt - T.Fawcett 8lb 8oz (94.4 %) In Mash/Steeped UK Wheat Malt 8.00 oz (5.6 %) In Mash/Steeped Hops German Northern Brewer (10.4 % alpha) 0.75 oz Loose Pellet Hops used 60 Min From End German Northern Brewer (10.4 % alpha) 0.25 oz Loose Pellet Hops used 30 Min From End Kent Goldings (4.9 % alpha) 1.00 oz Loose Pellet Hops used 1 Min From End Yeast: White Labs WLP862-Cry Havoc (small starter) Mash Schedule Mash Type: Full Mash Schedule Name:Single Step Infusion (67C/152F) Step: Rest at 152 degF for 60 mins
