Sunday, 10 January 2010

First Brew

Finally we have brewed our first batch of beer - Redemption Pale Ale. The brew went relatively well apart from one of the heaters on the copper not operating at full strength due to a fuse blowing, but we still managed to achieve a decent roiling boil, just not as quickly as we would have liked. We got a slightly lower extract from our malt than we hoped for, but should be able to improve on that with the next brew as we manage the runoff a little better and avoid keeping our malt in the coldest part of the brewery! The wort took three and a half days to ferment and is presently cooling until it will be moved into conditioning tank later today. The yeast took a bit of time to get going but then went into overdrive so it will no doubt take a few more brews to manage our fermentation more smoothly. We easily skimmed off 20lbs of yeast to be repitched with next weeks brew.

The big question now is whether the beer will be up to scratch. So many variables can have subtle impacts on both the flavour and the quality of the beer and I imagine it will take a good few brews before the whole process is running as smoothly as it should do. Technically it should be a decent beer but the proof will be in the tasting.
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26 comments:

  1. Glynn Davis12 January 2010 at 06:38

    Good luck and look forward to popping along to give it a road test.
    Cheers
    Glynn

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  2. The Urban Brewer13 January 2010 at 07:41

    Thanks Glynn, have a cask just waiting to be sampled!

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  3. The Beer Justice17 January 2010 at 10:18

    Excellent news that you're up-and-running. I look forward to tasting the beer.

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  4. XT Brewery18 January 2010 at 07:57

    Hi, We are starting a similar (ad)venture in Banbury and wondered if I could come down and see you? Could you email at:
    xtbrewing -at- googlemail.com
    Thanks and good luck with the brewing!

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  5. The Urban Brewer24 January 2010 at 13:08

    Thanks Steve, look forward to hearing your opinions on it.

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  6. DELBOY31 January 2010 at 15:20

    TRIED YOUR URBAN DUSK IN WENLOCK ARMS, VERY TASTY. CAN'T WAIT TO TRY SOME MORE

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  7. The Urban Brewer31 January 2010 at 16:08

    Cheers Delboy, glad you liked it, that was the first batch of Urban Dusk we brewed so thanks for the feedback.

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  8. Glynn Davis1 February 2010 at 08:29

    All sounds good news. If you've got that barrel waiting to be tried - what's the prospect of popping down there some time in near future?

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  9. Anonymous3 February 2010 at 02:55

    Real Ale in Tottnum? I never thought I'd see the day! Please let us thirsty folk of N17 know which pubs are stocking your brews. The Oakdale may be keen to try some out..... Best wishes for your new venture!

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  10. The Urban Brewer4 February 2010 at 03:51

    Thanks gasperoo. I'm trying to get a local pub to take some. I did give the Oakdale a call but they were not interested. I will make sure we have a N17 pub selling the beer soon!

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  11. Anonymous9 February 2010 at 01:39

    The United Services Club in Egham Surrey (finalist in CAMRA Club of the Year 2009) is holding a beer festival 1st-4th April and would certainly be interested in getting hold of the new Pale Ale plus any others in the pipeline.
    See www.eusc.co.uk or www.eghambeerfestival.co.uk for details of previous festivals, photos etc plus the rolling beer list at the club since 2 years ago (approaching 400!!).
    Collection is a possibility.
    Richard (secretary) always tries to stress new breweries/new beers where possible.

    Contact details are: richard@eusc.co.uk

    Thanks and good luck with your new venture.
    Bob the Binman

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  12. The Grubworm10 February 2010 at 11:35

    Had copious glases of both your pale ale and the urban dusk last night at The Gunmakers and enjoyed them both. I thought the Pale Ale was nice and zesty - perfect for a light summertime lunchtime pint. But in this weather i was all over the Urban Dark - more of an evening session beer and really quite morish. Had a decent depth and good taste to it. Stood up well to the Steak Sarnie i had too. Looking forward to the next set of brewings and will keep my eye's peeled for it in the pubs.

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  13. Tom15 February 2010 at 03:52

    I also tried the Pale Ale and Urban Dusk at the Gunmakers, and thought that both were excellent. I started off on the Pale Ale to quench my thirst, and moved onto the Urban Dusk later on. I look forward to trying more very soon! You have brewed two *excellent* beers.

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  14. keith flett21 February 2010 at 07:34

    Getting the beer on in Haringey let alone N17 will be a struggle;the area is not replete with free houses that sell real ale; Three Compasses in Hornsey High St might be worth a go at least as an occasional outlet; otherwise might be worth badgering The Rochester in neighbouring N16 [albeit a Spoons with tough trading terms] which is currently featuring Brentwood as a local brewery- Keith Flett

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  15. The Urban Brewer25 February 2010 at 08:07

    Tom, thanks for the kind comments about the beers, will do our best to keep them in top form!

    Keith, yes you are right about that! I will try and find some pubs that are local - I tried the Elbow Room but the very nice landlady said we would need to go through Barracuda Pub Company, so maybe one for the future. The Ponders End Allotment club just off the Hertford road have taken some beer along with our spent grains and hops for composting.

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  16. jrg9 March 2010 at 16:27

    N17/N15 is bereft of Real Ale in its dwindling numbers of pubs.

    We usually pop down to the cask marque'd Anchor & Hope (in Clapton) - Fullers, but they always have guest beers on (and sometimes not their own!) Or (again, not actually N17) the Rose and Crown in Stoke Newington has good beers and a new landlord who seems to be interested in them.

    I'm disappointed that the Oakdale weren't interested, and the only other place hereabouts that sells bitter is the Ferry Boat - which is part of the M&B empire. That'll be harder than Barracuda.

    The Fountain has taps but never anything on them, and I have seen Pride in the Beehive (but no-one apart from us drinking it). Mannions Prince Arthur, maybe?

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  17. Anonymous10 March 2010 at 01:28

    Try the Rose & Crown in Walthamstow. Not N17, I know, but E17 is close enough and they like to have new stuff on there.

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  18. Anonymous18 March 2010 at 15:05

    Congrats!

    ping me an email on Phil@beermerchants.com - would be good to meet, as I'm also brewing in london too! would be fun to get a few london brewers together for lunch and swift half?

    P.

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  19. Anonymous10 April 2010 at 17:08

    Andy,
    I've seen the documentary evidence of young Mr. Dempsey's visit to your establishment. He is singing the praises of your Urban Dusk on this side of the pond. When you are ready for international expansion, you'll have the spokesperson in place. Good luck with the new venture, I am reliably told it is an excellent product.

    Best, Tom Hynes

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  20. cerysmatic21 April 2010 at 14:37

    Thoroughly enjoyed a pint of Redemption Pale Ale earlier this evening in the Bree Louise @ Euston where they also had Urban Dusk but I had to dash so could not try that one too. So, a return visit beckons.

    Very pleasant surprise to find another new London-based microbrewery selling cool new brews.

    Good luck!

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  21. The Urban Brewer23 April 2010 at 05:34

    Thanks Tom, you need to come and visit next time you are in London. Perhaps Dempsey can be my US distributor and Gochez can be head of El Salvadorian sales!!!

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  22. The Urban Brewer23 April 2010 at 05:35

    Thanks for the kind words Cerysmatic, really glad you enjoyed it.

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  23. jrg29 April 2010 at 10:55

    Had some pints of Urban Dusk recently at the new-look Jolly Butchers in N16.

    Enjoying it more each time!

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  24. Jason B. Standing12 May 2010 at 05:04

    Hi Andy,

    Could you drop me an email when you get a chance? jason at jasonbstanding dot com

    Thanks mate! Talk soon,

    Jason (we met at The Gunmakers' Qype tasting - seems like so long ago!)

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  25. cerysmatic14 May 2010 at 15:00

    Pleased to see Redemption Pale Ale and Urban Dusk are now regulars at the Bree Louise. Enjoyed a pint of each tonight.

    Any new brews/updates on the way?

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  26. Unknown21 April 2015 at 22:49

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    ReplyDelete

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