Original Gravity: ~1.052
Final Gravity: ~1.013
ABV: ~5.1%
IBU: ~69
SRM: ~29
Final Gravity: ~1.013
ABV: ~5.1%
IBU: ~69
SRM: ~29
Big Brew 2024 The Empire Strikes Back Dark Ale
Celebrating the 27th annual Big Brew on May 4, 2024
This is one of the Official A.H.A. Recipe for Big Brew 2024,
but you can brew any recipe that you want.
This is one of the Official A.H.A. Recipe for Big Brew 2024,
but you can brew any recipe that you want.
The Empire Strikes Back Dark Ale
This recipe was designed by home brewer Paul Crowther and adapted by Big Brew 2024 sponsor Rahr Malting Co.
Inspired by the Star Wars original trilogy, the Pop Culture Brews podcast (2019-2021) crew set out on an intergalactic mission to create beer recipes inspired by episodes IV, V, and VI.
For the second episode in the trilogy—The Empire Strikes Back (1980)—Pop Culture Brews co-host Paul Crowther (aka The Mad Brewer) created a beer recipe that captures the film’s darker, more sinister tone.
Adding Carafa III, a dark-roasted barley, makes the recipe darker (~45 SRM) and instills some mild roasted notes in the aftertaste. While this beer is impenetrably dark compared to its Episode IV predecessor, The Empire Strikes Back Dark Ale is still bursting full of Citra hop flavor, reflecting the lighter moments of Episode V. It shows how easy it is to go to the Dark Side.
May the wort be with you.
This recipe was modified and adjusted to make a 5 gallon batch while maintaining the specifications of the author.
----- Ingredients (modified to 5 gallons using BEERSMITH) -----
----- Ingredients (modified to 5 gallons using BEERSMITH) -----
Malts:
5 lb Rahr Pale Ale malt
3 lb Crisp Finest Maris Otter Ale malt
.75 lb Weyermann® CARAFA® Type 3 malt
0.75 lb Rahr White Wheat malt
0.25 lb Weyermann® Munich Type 1 malt
Hops:
0.5 oz Citra hops, 12% a.a. (60 min)
1.0 oz Citra hops, 12% a.a. (20 min)
1.0 oz (28 g) Citra hops, 12% a.a. (10 min)
1.0 oz (28 g) Citra hops, 12% a.a. (5 min)
1.5 oz (43 g) Citra hops, 12% a.a. (hop stand)
3.0 oz (85 g) Citra hops, 12% a.a. (dry hop)
Yeast:
Safale US-05
5 lb Rahr Pale Ale malt
3 lb Crisp Finest Maris Otter Ale malt
.75 lb Weyermann® CARAFA® Type 3 malt
0.75 lb Rahr White Wheat malt
0.25 lb Weyermann® Munich Type 1 malt
Hops:
0.5 oz Citra hops, 12% a.a. (60 min)
1.0 oz Citra hops, 12% a.a. (20 min)
1.0 oz (28 g) Citra hops, 12% a.a. (10 min)
1.0 oz (28 g) Citra hops, 12% a.a. (5 min)
1.5 oz (43 g) Citra hops, 12% a.a. (hop stand)
3.0 oz (85 g) Citra hops, 12% a.a. (dry hop)
Yeast:
Safale US-05
---------- Directions ----------
Mash grains at 149°F for 60 minutes. Mash out at 167°F for 10 minutes.
Conduct a 60-minute boil, following the hop additions as listed in the ingredients. It is suggested to bag each hop addition so they can be removed. After the 60-minute boil turn off the heat, remove the hop bags, and add the “hop stand” addition. Allow the hop stand to soak for 20 minutes (around 194°F).
Chill beer and pitch yeast at appropriate temperature for the yeast.
Ferment at temps specific for the yeast for around 10 days. When primary fermentation is finished, add the dry hop additions for 5-7 days.
---------- Specifications ----------
Yield: 5 US gal
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