Writer: Paul Crowther
Mild By Name, Mild By Nature
English mild has been around for hundreds of years, yet it can still be a difficult style to put a finger on. That may be due to no single characteristic jumping out of the glass or the fact it has undergone numerous iterations throughout history. An Englishman explains why those beyond the U.K. should be taking a closer look at the humble mild. Plus: Four mild clone recipes from the U.K.
Cross Borders Brewing Co. & Dark Star Brewing Co.’s Intergalactic Mild clone
Cross Borders Brewing Co. & Dark Star Brewing Co.’s Intergalactic Mild clone (5 gallons/19 L, all-grain)OG = 1.061 FG = 1.015IBU = 25 SRM = 22 ABV = 6.1% This recipe represents the hybrid mild.
Steam Machine Brewing Co.’s Imperial Honeyed Mild clone
Steam Machine Brewing Co.’s Imperial Honeyed Mild clone (5 gallons/19 L, all-grain)OG = 1.079 FG = 1.013IBU = 32.5 SRM = 5.7 ABV = 8.7% This is a good example of a modern homage
Thornbridge Brewery & Bundobust Brewery’s Dark Mild clone
Thornbridge Brewery & Bundobust Brewery’s Dark Mild clone (5 gallons/19 L, all-grain)OG = 1.039 FG = 1.010IBU = 25 SRM = 23 ABV = 3.8% A bit more chocolate malt than you’d usually see
Elusive Brewing’s Microball clone
Elusive Brewing’s Microball clone (5 gallons/19 L, all-grain)OG = 1.041 FG = 1.013IBU = 16 SRM = 18 ABV = 3.7% This is a great example of how to build the grain bill
The Queen’s Mead
Bitten by the meadmaking bug during the pandemic, Paul Crowther set out to make a historic mead. Not just any mead steeped in history, but one said to have been enjoyed by Queen Elizabeth I and possibly created by ancient Celts who occupied Britain more than 1,000 years earlier. Learn about the history and techniques to create this mead yourself.
The Queen’s Mead Recipe
OG = 1.073 FG = 0.998 ABV = 9.8% Bitten by the meadmaking bug during the pandemic, Paul Crowther set out to make a historic mead. Not just any mead steeped in
Classic British Hops
They are the staple to your favorite English ales, however these classic British hops can fit nicely into a broader range of beers. Re-familiarize yourself with varieties from the landrace era like Fuggle and East Kent Golding to those bred in the 20th century such as Brewers Gold and Challenger.
Landrace ESB
An English ESB utilizing classic English landrace hops.
Wye Hopped Summer Ale
A refreshing summer ale brewed with English hops developed during the Wye College era.
Gruit Ale
Although technically with no hops this beer is 0 IBUs, the rosemary and yarrow will impart a pronounced herbal bitterness.
Into the Heislerverse
It has survived alien, robot, and zombie apocalypses, been thrown back at local watering holes, and taken up space in fridges across the globe. Learn about Hollywood’s favorite fictional beer brand through a homebrewer’s quest to brew the real thing.
