How Low Can You Go? Designated Driver Beer

[Swinging Beef]

Im keen to brew something that is as low alcohol as possible, but still dry, tasty and aromatic.

I know we see lots of "Low Carb" (lie - a 5% reduction is not low) products on the market, and I know there are light beers, but they are always simple, malt forward lagers.

I would really like to see everyone's lowest alcohol beer recipies.
Is it possible to make 2.5% IPA or Belgian Ale?
Is a 3% wit tasty?

 

[Cortez The Killer]

A mild or an ord bitter are obvious choices

They are always tasty

Beers are all about balance

Use a low attenuating yeast, mash high and compensate with increased bitterness

I'm sure you'd be able to crack out some tasty beers

The lowest I've ever gone is 1.034

Cheers

 

[KillerRx4]

Ive got a beer I brewed for my mrs when she was pregnant.

OG 1.023 FG 1.008
ABV 1.95%

Ive still got a few bottles & still tasting good, great refresher on a hot day.


Recipe: Up The Duff #163
Brewer: Killer
Asst Brewer:
Style: Standard/Ordinary Bitter
TYPE: All Grain
Taste: (0.0)

Recipe Specifications
--------------------------
Batch Size: 27.00 L
Boil Size: 35.56 L
Estimated OG: 1.021 SG
Estimated Color: 9.0 EBC
Estimated IBU: 33.8 IBU
Brewhouse Efficiency: 70.00 %
Boil Time: 60 Minutes

Ingredients:
------------
Amount Item Type % or IBU
1.76 kg Pale Malt, Maris Otter (5.9 EBC) Grain 67.69 %
0.50 kg Munich I (Weyermann) (14.0 EBC) Grain 19.23 %
0.24 kg Pilsner, Malt Craft Export (Joe White) (3.Grain 9.23 %
0.10 kg Crystal Malt - Bairds Med (145.0 EBC) Grain 3.85 %
15.00 gm Pacific Gem [15.70 %] (60 min) (First WorHops 28.7 IBU
15.00 gm Cascade [6.70 %] (10 min) Hops 2.2 IBU
7.80 gm D Saaz [4.40 %] (1 min) Hops 0.6 IBU
10.00 gm Nelson Sauvin [12.00 %] (1 min) Hops 2.2 IBU
0.50 items Whirlfloc Tablet (Boil 15.0 min) Misc
1.00 gm Calcium Chloride (Mash 60.0 min) Misc
2.30 gm Gypsum (Calcium Sulfate) (Mash 60.0 min) Misc
1 Pkgs American Ale (Wyeast Labs #1056) Yeast-Ale


Mash Schedule: Single Infusion, Full Body
Total Grain Weight: 2.60 kg
----------------------------
Single Infusion, Full Body
Step Time Name Description Step Temp
60 min Mash In Add 6.79 L of water at 80.7 C 70.0 C
10 min Mash Out Add 2.70 L of water at 92.7 C 75.6 C


Notes:
------
Pitched 4/05/09 @18.5degC
90ml trub # 162
No O2, Splashed
Kegged 18/05/09

 

[MarkBastard]

I know we see lots of "Low Carb" (lie - a 5% reduction is not low)

What low carb beers are only a 5% reduction in carbs? And what has that got to do with low ABV?

 

[boingk]

4500g JW Trad. Ale (90%)
350g Crystal (7%)
100g JW Amber (2%)
50g Chocolate (1%)

30g Cluster @ 90min
20g Goldings @ 20min
20g Goldings @ 00min

24L final volume / OG 1.030 / FG 1.007 / 25EBC / 37IBU. BIAB with a mash temp of 68'C. First ever AG brew and it turned out a treat despite the cruddy efficiency. Good 'midstrength' beer that I wouldn't hesistate to recommend anyone brewing, although doctor the Amber addition to your liking as I know not everyone agrees with it as much as I do.

Cheers - boingk

 

[browndog]

4500g JW Trad. Ale (90%)
350g Crystal (7%)
100g JW Amber (2%)
50g Chocolate (1%)

30g Cluster @ 90min
20g Goldings @ 20min
20g Goldings @ 00min

24L final volume / OG 1.030 / FG 1.007 / 25EBC / 37IBU. BIAB with a mash temp of 68'C. First ever AG brew and it turned out a treat despite the cruddy efficiency. Good 'midstrength' beer that I wouldn't hesistate to recommend anyone brewing, although doctor the Amber addition to your liking as I know not everyone agrees with it as much as I do.

Cheers - boingk

Boingk, how do you get 24l at 1.030 out of 5kg of grain? you would have to have efficiency in the range of 50% I thought BIAB was as good or better than 3V


cheers

Brownodg

 

[boingk]

Like I said, it was my first attempt. I'm guessing I didn't mash out or something else relatively basic. The water chemistry in my area is pretty bad as well, with LOTS of dissolved phosphates and calcium, so that may also have something to do with it.

- boingk

 

[Swinging Beef]

What low carb beers are only a 5% reduction in carbs? And what has that got to do with low ABV?

Sorry.. I meant calorie.. not carb
Since lower sugars and lower alcohol = lower calories.
Much of the calories/kj in any alcoholic beverage is the alcohol.

Im targetting quantity drinkability alone on this one, so Im looking for flavoured water.
Water plus, beer flavoured.

 

[MarkBastard]

Sorry.. I meant calorie.. not carb
Since lower sugars and lower alcohol = lower calories.
Much of the calories/kj in any alcoholic beverage is the alcohol.

Im targetting quantity drinkability alone on this one, so Im looking for flavoured water.
Water plus, beer flavoured.

But you said that 'low carb' beers are a lie. Were you just confused?