Following on my series of IPAs and pale ales, I recently worked on a “classic” American pale ale. Again, I wanted to avoid the really tropical notes (which I like, but have been getting burned out on), and elected to highlight the Falconer’s Flight blend here. It was a good success!

Classico Pale Ale

• 5 lb. Maris Otter Malt (Bairds)
• 5 lb. 2-row malt (Rahr)
• 8 oz. crystal 40 malt (Great Western)
• 8 oz. crystal 60 malt (Great Western)
• 0.7 oz. Warrior hop pellets (15.8% alpha), 60 minute boil
• 1 Whirlfloc tablet, 10 minute boil
• 1 oz. Cascade whole hops (~4% alpha), 5 minute boil
• 1 oz. Falconer’s Flight 7C’s hop pellets (9.8% alpha), 5 minute whirlpool
• 1 pkg. Safale US-05 American Ale dry yeast
• 1 pkg. Mangrove Jack’s M44 US West Coast Yeast
• 3 oz. Falconer’s Flight 7C’s hop pellets (9.5% alpha), dry hop in keg

Target Parameters

• 60 minute infusion mash, 152°, batch sparge
• 1.055 o.g., 1.012 f.g., 5.7% abv, 44 IBU, 8 SRM
• Claremont water with 1 tsp. of gypsum added during boil

Procedure

• I mashed in with 3.75 gallons of water at 164°, to hit a mash target of 152°. After 60 minutes, I added 1 gallon of water at ~185°, let sit for 10 minutes, vorlaufed, and collected first runnings. Then, I added 3.3 gallons of water at 185°, let sit for 10 minutes, vorlaufed, and collected second runnings.
• In total, I collected 6.5 gallons of runnings with a gravity of 1.046, for 76% mash efficiency.
• I brought the runnings to a boil, adding everything per the recipe. After 60 minutes of boiling, I added the whirlpool hops, waited 5 minutes, and then began to chill the wort.
• I transferred the wort to the fermenter, pitched the yeast, and set it to ferment at 67°.
• I brewed this beer on 1 April 2019. Starting gravity was 1.054, and final gravity was 1.012 when I kegged it on 14 April 2019. This works out to 5.5% abv.

Tasting Notes

• Aroma
  • Hop-forward aroma, with light citrus and pine together, and a mild caramel quality behind that.
• Appearance
  • Light copper color, hazy, with a persistent off-white head.
• Flavor
  • The hops are at the front of the flavor, but aren’t overpowering. The hop flavor profile is a combination of citrus and tropical fruit with a hint of pine behind that. The malt flavor is slightly grainy/bready, with a faint caramel note. Really nice!
• Mouthfeel
  • Medium-light body, with appropriate level of carbonation. The finish is smooth and off-dry.
• Would I brew this again?
  • Yes! I really like this particular recipe, and think it pretty well represents what an American pale ale should be. The only minor concern (were I brewing this for competition) is the haze, which would undoubtedly settle out given more time. Otherwise, what a great beer!
• Overall
  • 9/10