Here are the previous posts in the series.

I’ll post an update on the actual status of the beer in a little while, but first I wanted to share the following scan of the recipes that come with beer brewing kits. I’ve got the front and back side of the “Continental Pilsner” kit and the front side of the “English Brown Ale” kit below:

Click pictures to enlarge

The procedures used to brew the pilsner and the brown ale are identical, with only the ingredients being different. The following picture shows the area of primary difference in the two recipes: the hop International Bittering Units (IBUs):

As you can see, the bitterness of the pilsner will be much higher than the bitterness of the brown ale due to the much higher “alpha acid” content of the hops used in the pilsner, as well as the larger quantity of hops. The bitterness of the beer affects the “mouth feel” and the perception of how refreshing the beer is.

In addition, the malts used in the brown ale are “amber” as opposed to “light” used in the pilsner. This is going to impart a richer flavor to the beer with more nuttiness and grain character.

I started brewing thinking that I’d continually do the same variety over and over again so that I could become consistent in my brewing, capable of noting what differences subtle changes to my process and ingredients render. That’s going to go on hold for just a little while with the brown ale. Though I will continue to work toward pilsner-style perfection, the brown ale (and maybe a holiday beer with spices and other things) will be coming down the pipe in the immediate future.