The Inspiration Behind Northern Lights Honey Ale
If you’re an avid lover of beer, then you must have fallen in love with a honey ale at some point. Northern Lights Honey Ale is one of those beer types that will leave you wanting for more. Its unique flavor is tantalizing and refreshing all at the same time. But have you ever wondered how it’s made?
The Ingredients You Need
Before getting started, you first need to gather all the necessary ingredients. These include three pounds of honey, two ounces of Cascade hops, American Ale yeast, six pounds of dry malt extract, and one pound of Crystal Malt.
The Brewing Process
With all the necessary ingredients, it’s now time to kickstart the brewing process. This is how to go about it:
1. Steep the Crystal Malt in a gallon of hot water at approximately 155° F for 30 minutes.
2. Sky-rocket the temperature to about 170° F and then remove the Crystal Malt from the boiling pot and get it off the heat.
3. Add another gallon of hot water, plus a pinch of gypsum, into the mix. Raise the temperature of the water to about 160°F.
4. Add the dry malt extract and stir it until it dissolves.
5. Maintain the temperature for a steady hour-long boil, with a 60-minute timer running.
6. After close to 30 minutes of boiling, add an ounce of Cascade hops.
7. Thirty minutes later, add another ounce of the Cascade hops.
8. With the boil complete, add either your ice, or cold water, and let the mixture cool down to about 70°F before transferring it to your fermenting container.
9. Add enough water to the remaining mix to make a five-gallon total, plus three pounds of honey.
10. Add yeast and let it sit for a couple of weeks.
Tasting the Final Product
Congratulations, you have made Northern Lights Honey Ale. Now it’s time to sit back, relax, and enjoy your final product. The taste will be fruity and hoppy, with a distinctive flavor of honey. The color will be pale amber, with a moderate foam head that will stick around for a while.
Conclusion
Making beer is an art and science that requires patience, attention to detail, and careful measurements. With this recipe, you can make your honey ale, just like a professional brewer. With the right ingredients and brewing process, your end product will be a taste of heaven in a bottle. Whether you decide to share it with friends or keep it to yourself, one thing is for sure – you’ll be coming back for more.
