Advent #1 "Working Man" Mild Ale

[GuingesRock]

At one time, mild ale was the favorite drink of the English working man. It was a minimalist beer with low alcohol and low hops, with a flavour from tannins that was reminiscent of tea.


ps. I don't think you can taste the Jasmine flowers but let me know if you can please.

Working Man.jpg

[GuingesRock]

I had some spare bottles and sent them to All About Ales and got a gold for it.

[LeafMan66_67]

I had some spare bottles and sent them to All About Ales and got a gold for it.

I really enjoyed the taste I had. Well done!

[GuingesRock]

Thanks Derek.

[Keith]

Drinking the partial bottle now Mark. Just finished lugging a van load of furniture and and figured the working man mild would be the correct choice.

[jeffsmith]

Thinking I may brew up 15 gallons of this sans jasmine. Need some quaffable beer around for the holidays.

[GasMD30]

I'm gonna have to compare my recipe to yours to see where I can improve!

[GuingesRock]

Thinking I may brew up 15 gallons of this sans jasmine. Need some quaffable beer around for the holidays.

It doesn't really need any aging. It was good right from 10 - 14 days old. Primary fermentation was done in no time because such a low ABV (3.5%). I still can't taste the Jasmine, so I don't think it will make a difference leaving it out. It would make a great low alcohol breakfast beer, because it tastes like tea, and would go well with bacon and eggs I think.

I'm gonna have to compare my recipe to yours to see where I can improve!

Yours will be just as good I'm sure. It's an interesting style to play around with.


Was nice to have beer and a burger with you today Keith at the Library Pub. Thanks for giving me a shout.

[GasMD30]

Thanks for sending me the bottle. I don't review beer often but I can give'r a try.

Appearance: Dark brown. Pours crystal clear. Some head that fades. Good carbonation.

Aroma: Chocolate predominates. Stronger but similar aroma to mine. Little hops aroma.

Taste: Biscuity and chocolate up front. Finished with a roasted smoke flavour. Reminiscent of a stout/porter. Definitely want a second sip. Minimal bitterness.

Overall it's delicious!

[GuingesRock]

Thanks Josh,

[amartin]

Ok, I have to ask. What's the deal with the jasmine flowers? I've never seen them in a recipe for brown ale (or any other beer), so where did you get the idea to add them? Also, if they were at a level where you think you can taste them, what flavours/aromas would they add? I guess it's possible that you can taste them, but that they're just blended in with the rest of the beer well, which to me seems like a it would be the perfect amount.

Anyway, I'm glad this is beer one, because I'm looking forward to trying it.

[GuingesRock]

I got the idea from Bandarker. He said he made a really nice beer with it: http://www.brewnosers.org/forums/viewto ... ne#p106568" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; http://www.brewnosers.org/forums/viewto ... 01#p106601" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


I find this beer interesting and refreshing and a nice change, but I don't think I'd brew it as a beer of choice/house beer, I'd rather have an APA.

Not sure if I can describe the taste of Jasmine, but I always order jasmine tea when I go to Chinese restaurants/sushi places.

[GAM]

Aroma – Malty, Chocolate low hop aroma.
Appearance – Dark brown to style
Flavor – Nicely malty, chocolate & dark sugars. Higher in hop than style. No jasmine.
Mouthfeel – Surprisingly full for the ABV and style.
Total score 41
Love this style and can’t find enough examples.

Sandy

[bluenose]

Aroma – Malty, Chocolate low hop aroma.
Appearance – Dark brown to style
Flavor – Nicely malty, chocolate & dark sugars. Higher in hop than style. No jasmine.
Mouthfeel – Surprisingly full for the ABV and style.
Total score 41
Love this style and can’t find enough examples.

Sandy

Um... who set your calendar?

[CorneliusAlphonse]

the first advent calendar cheater has been found

[Keith]

That's right

[GuingesRock]

Thanks for the excellent first day of advent (30th Nov) review Sandy. ..."Higher in hop than style." where have I heard that before? I'm getting better though: An old brewing picture below.

This beer goes well with bacon and eggs and it's only 3.5% ABV, if anyone hasn't had their breakfast yet.

[jtmwhyte]

also an advent cheater here. I'll provide some feedback:

It tastes like malt balls from my childhood (like whoppers, but the really big ones that aren't really whoppers) or Ovaltine.

[Keith]

Nice job on the beer mark. Drinking it now while brewing up a 5 gallon batch of my American Wheat.

[GAM]

malt balls

Marks new name!

Sandy

[GuingesRock]

malt balls

Marks new name!

Sandy

That's the opposite of a hop head. What went wrong with my brewing

Still don't like crystal malt.

[GillettBreweryCnslt]

I had it last night after midnight so it technically wasn't cheating!

I found it good, roasty, very mild as described. I could definitely taste the earthiness and grassiness from the EKG. Personally I'm not a fan of EKG due to that earthy flavour, but in this brew is was very subtle and worked well.

Thanks!

[RubberToe]

Well done, Mark. I really enjoyed it after working all day! I'd definitely drink this on the regular.

[Woody]

G Rock just finished your beer and really enjoyed it. Well balanced and I like the malt backbone. I thought this thread would have lit up by now with reviews. Only issue with this beer is I don't have another one.

[redoubt]

Thanks for this, Mark! Enjoyed it when I had it before, and enjoying it again.

When it's cold (regular fridge temp), it's way more bitter and less flavourful. Let it warm up a bit, and then it's really at its best.

-Keely.