This is actually a clone of Wanton Wench, the most awesome beer made by Merlin’s Socks.

Ingredients

• Coopers Bavarian Lager kit
• 50g Crystal Malt grain
• 1kg Brewcraft #67 (Spicy Belgian Wheat Beer converter – malt, dex, maltodex)
• 15g Goldings hops
• 10g Saaz hops
• 90g Coriander seed
• Peel of large Orange
• 11.5g Safbrew T58 yeast

• OG: 1.041
• FG: 1.011

ALC/VOL 4.6% (pre-bottled)

 

Steeped grain for 60mins between 60-70°C, and then boiled coriander seed and orange peel for 60mins. I then strained both mixtures, and added sugars to this mixture. Stirring until thoroughly mixed, I then added the kit wort.

I added the Goldings hops and boiled for 15 mins. Then, I added the Saaz hops, turned off heat, and let it cool down.

I added water to 23 litres, and dry-pitched yeast at 20°C.

Unfortunately, I wasn’t aware that the T58 prefers warmer temps, so fermentation appeared to stall (or slow dramatically) due to the fact that I was keeping it at Lager temps (14-16°C). On recommendations from some of the helpful folk at Brodie’s Castle Brewing Forum, I moved this into the living room (where the heater is) and kept it more or less above 18°C (sometimes as high as 24°).

I kept this going for four weeks, then raised the temperature right up before taking final readings. This is the ‘diacetyl rest’ that is recommended for Lager beers, as you raise the temps to flush out any remaining CO2. I then let the fermenter sit overnight to lower the temps and have yeast settle.

I then bulk-primed this with 130g dextrose, and bottled.

I will post tasting notes in a few weeks when this is ready. I may let this ‘lager’ for normal than longer, maybe not trying one until after four weeks. This will depend on our weather of course…

I’m still searching for an appropriate name… let’ see if it compares with any of the real Wanton Wenches….