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28-06-2012, 09:30
Visit the Shut up about Barclay Perkins site (http://barclayperkins.blogspot.com/2012/06/fullers-pale-ales-1914-1920.html)

Time for part two of my series on Fuller's beers during WW I. And yes, it is their Pale Ales. All three of them.


http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--2vLvxA8HsQ/T8dyQ6GdpuI/AAAAAAAAJIg/c0IT0N3Uv-I/s320/Fullers_Pale_Ale_1957.jpg (http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--2vLvxA8HsQ/T8dyQ6GdpuI/AAAAAAAAJIg/c0IT0N3Uv-I/s1600/Fullers_Pale_Ale_1957.jpg)
Funnily enough, Fullers started the war with only two, PA and one of my favourite obsessions, AK. As you can see, there was quite a gap in gravity between the two, with PA at 1054º and AK at 1044º. In the late 19th century they had made four Pale Ales. In descending order of strength IPA, XK, AK and KA. Sometime between 1902 and 1910 IPA was renamed PA and XK and KA were phased out.

At the outbreak of war, AK was the lowest-gravity beer Fullers brewed, 5 points lower than X Ale and 1 lower than Porter. As with X Ale a few points were knocked off the gravity in the early war years, but the biggest changes were in April 1917 and April 1918. First reducing the gravity to around 1036º and then to 1026º. After April 1917, its gravity was pretty much identical to X Ale, even though before the war it had been lower. By 1920 both X Ale and AK were around 1030.

In a similar way to the introduction of XX Ale, in 1919 a slightly stronger Pale Ale called XK was introduced. And while AK remained around 1030º, XK had risen to the dizzying height of 1037º by 1920. AK limped along through the 1920's and 1930's, being brewed in quantities so small that you wonder why they bothered. Sometimes it was as little as two barrels. Too small for any of the normal fermenters as it was fermented in puncheons. It disappeared for good early in WW II (unless I can persuade Fullers to brew it as a Past Masters beer).

PA came through the war almost unscathed. It was over 1050º right up until April 1918. No mean feat, that. What it looks as if they did was to drive down the gravity of AK as far as possible so that they could keep up the strength of PA. In 1918 the average gravity of all beer produced in a brewery had to average no more than 1030º. To be able to brew PA in the high 1030's there had to be a considerable amount of beer with a gravity well below 1030º. Even in early 1919, it was still around 1039º - a very respectable strength for that time. And by the end of the year it was back up to its pre-war strength.

Now let's look at the recipe. I won't say recipes, because all of the Pale Ales were parti-gyled together. The flaked maize disappeared, too. The pre-war recipe was pretty typical: pale malt, sugar and flaked maize. If you've been paying attention you'll remember that crystal malt was rarely found in a Pale Ale before WW I. Fullers first used it in theirs some time between 1962 and 1968.

As with X Ale, there was a big change in the recipe in 1917, presumably as a result of difficulties in obtaining ingredients. For a while they were all malt, except for the primings. In 1920, the same main ingredients were being used as pre-war, but in different proportions. Pale malt remained at 78% to 80%, but the amount of flaked maize had more than doubled at the expense of No. 2 invert sugar and glucose.

Fullers were big fans of glucose. Between the wars all their beers except Porter and Stout contained it. Of course, that includes OBE. Which is how come I got to taste glucose. They'd bought some in for the Past Masters brew of OBE. It's a very different beast to invert sugar. While No. 2 and No. 3 invert have lots of dark fruit flavours glucose is just, well, sugary. Straight sweetness without much anything else.





Fuller's AK 1914 - 1920


Date
Year
Beer
Style
OG
FG
ABV
App. Attenuation
lbs hops/ qtr
hops lb/brl
boil time (hours)
boil time (hours)
Pitch temp
pale malt
no. 2 sugar
glucose
intense sugar
flaked maize
primings


20th Nov
1914
AK
Pale Ale
1044.3
1009.1
4.65
79.38%
7.33
1.34
1.5
1.75
60.5º
78.89%
5.84%
5.84%
0.17%
5.84%
3.40%


8th Dec
1914
AK
Pale Ale
1044.1
1009.4
4.58
78.63%
7.35
1.36
1.5
1.75
58.5º
81.38%

5.56%
5.56%
6.26%
1.23%


2nd Jul
1915
AK
Pale Ale
1044.5
1009.7
4.61
78.22%
7.84
1.42
1.5
1.75
59.5º
78.96%
6.68%
6.68%

6.27%
1.40%


1st Jun
1916
AK
Pale Ale
1043.9
1009.7
4.53
77.93%
8.20
1.54
1.5
1.75
60º
79.27%
6.61%
6.61%

4.95%
2.56%


3rd Aug
1916
AK
Pale Ale
1042.7
1008.9
4.47
79.23%
8.13
1.46
1.5
1.75
60º
82.40%
4.85%
4.85%

4.85%
3.06%


26th Oct
1916
AK
Pale Ale
1041.0
1006.6
4.54
83.78%
8.44
1.43
1.5
1.75
59.5º
80.05%
6.47%
8.09%

4.85%
0.55%


3rd Nov
1916
AK
Pale Ale
1041.7
1005.8
4.74
86.04%
8.18
1.46
1.5
1.75
60º
80.16%
5.73%
5.73%

5.73%
2.67%


12th Jan
1917
AK
Pale Ale
1041.8
1007.8
4.50
81.44%
8.17
1.40
1.5
1.75
59º
80.82%
5.26%
5.26%

5.91%
2.76%


19th Jan
1917
AK
Pale Ale
1040.7
1007.5
4.40
81.63%
8.48
1.44
1.5
1.75
59º
82.98%
5.40%
5.40%

6.07%
0.16%


13th Apr
1917
AK
Pale Ale
1041.5
1008.3
4.39
79.99%
8.49
1.41
1.5
1.75
59.5º
83.03%
5.40%
5.40%

6.08%
0.10%


20th Jun
1917
AK
Pale Ale
1038.6
1006.4
4.27
83.51%
8.53
1.45
1.5
1.75
60º
86.64%
3.85%
5.78%


3.74%


8th Aug
1917
AK
Pale Ale
1035.4
1006.4
3.84
82.00%
9.67
1.43
1.5
1.75
60º
97.77%




2.23%


1st Nov
1917
AK
Pale Ale
1035.9
1007.8
3.73
78.41%
9.64
1.47
2

60º
92.36%


0.17%
5.23%
2.25%


14th Nov
1917
AK
Pale Ale
1036.1
1008.3
3.68
76.98%
9.66
1.43
1.5
1.75
60º
92.38%


0.23%
5.31%
2.09%


2nd Jan
1918
AK
Pale Ale
1035.5
1007.5
3.70
78.92%
9.72
2.24
1.5
1.75
60º
92.13%
5.94%

0.13%

1.80%


16th Jan
1918
AK
Pale Ale
1036.1
1011.1
3.32
69.35%
8.70
1.28
1.5
1.75
60º
91.58%
3.05%
3.05%
0.16%

2.15%


11th Apr
1918
AK
Pale Ale
1026.1
1005.5
2.73
78.81%
9.99
1.10
1.5
1.75
60.5º
74.94%
12.49%
12.49%
0.08%




20th Jun
1918
AK
Pale Ale
1026.2
1005.5
2.73
78.84%
9.68
1.11
1.5
1.75
60º
74.65%
19.14%
3.83%
0.09%

2.29%


7th Nov
1918
AK
Pale Ale
1025.7
1005.0
2.74
80.60%
9.45
1.09
1.75

60º
77.55%
18.35%

0.18%

3.92%


16th Jan
1919
AK
Pale Ale
1026.1
1006.1
2.64
76.62%
9.25
1.10
1.75

60.5º
78.14%
8.14%
8.14%
0.17%

5.41%


15th Apr
1919
AK
Pale Ale
1026.0
1004.4
2.86
82.98%
9.04
1.08
1.75

61.5º
74.21%
6.06%
8.08%
0.26%
4.54%
6.85%


19th Jun
1919
AK
Pale Ale
1028.2
1004.7
3.10
83.28%
9.72
1.14
1.5
1.5
62º
77.72%
6.76%
6.76%
0.14%
6.76%
1.86%


25th Jun
1919
AK
Pale Ale
1028.0
1005.3
3.01
81.21%
9.72
1.16
1.75

61.5º
78.01%
8.00%
6.00%
0.27%
6.00%
1.72%


27th Aug
1919
AK
Pale Ale
1030.5
1006.9
3.12
77.31%
9.96
1.28
1.5
1.5
60º
74.03%
8.80%
8.80%
0.16%
8.06%
0.16%


11th Feb
1920
AK
Pale Ale
1030.6
1007.5
3.06
75.59%
9.80
1.21
1.5
1.5
62º
78.81%
3.23%
3.23%
0.17%
13.34%
1.22%


Source:


Fuller's brewing records.



http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tvEWb84W6eE/T8ds8d7qTlI/AAAAAAAAJIA/Tnop9YuwxNw/s320/Fullers_AK_Ale_1914_1920.JPG (http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tvEWb84W6eE/T8ds8d7qTlI/AAAAAAAAJIA/Tnop9YuwxNw/s1600/Fullers_AK_Ale_1914_1920.JPG)




Fuller's PA 1914 - 1920


Date
Year
Beer
Style
OG
FG
ABV
App. Attenuation
lbs hops/ qtr
hops lb/brl
boil time (hours)
boil time (hours)
Pitch temp
pale malt
no. 2 sugar
caramel
glucose
intense sugar
flaked maize
primings


17th Nov
1914
PA
Pale Ale
1054.2
1012.2
5.56
77.52%
8.14
1.98
1.75
1.75
59.5º
77.19%
6.64%
0.11%
6.64%

2.49%
6.93%


1st Jan
1915
PA
Pale Ale
1053.7
1012.2
5.49
77.28%
8.89
1.97
1.5
1.75
60º
85.82%


4.09%
6.13%
3.07%
0.89%


6th Jul
1915
PA
Pale Ale
1053.6
1010.5
5.69
80.35%
8.59
1.96
1.5
1.75
60º
80.08%
7.21%

7.21%

2.16%
3.33%


30th May
1916
PA
Pale Ale
1053.5
1011.4
5.57
78.77%
8.71
2.00
1.5
1.75
59.5º
78.75%
7.29%

7.29%

4.38%
2.29%


13th Jun
1916
PA
Pale Ale
1052.9
1011.9
5.42
77.48%
8.95
2.00
1.5
1.75
60º
80.29%
7.43%

7.43%

4.46%
0.38%


30th Jul
1916
PA
Pale Ale
1052.3
1011.1
5.45
78.80%
8.88
1.95
1.5
1.75
60º
82.74%
4.50%

6.75%

5.07%
0.93%


7th Aug
1916
PA
Pale Ale
1051.9
1010.8
5.44
79.19%
8.56
1.95


59.5º
77.52%
6.89%

6.89%

5.17%
3.53%


31st Oct
1916
PA
Pale Ale
1051.8
1009.7
5.57
81.29%
8.61
1.99
1.5
1.75
60º
80.91%
4.40%

6.61%

4.95%
3.13%


16th Jan
1917
PA
Pale Ale
1052.9
1010.5
5.61
80.12%
8.64
1.96
1.5
1.75
60º
81.13%
6.62%

4.42%

4.97%
2.87%


20th Jun
1917
PA
Pale Ale
1050.6
1011.1
5.23
78.09%
8.53
1.90
1.5
1.75
60º
86.64%
3.85%

5.78%


3.74%


8th Aug
1917
PA
Pale Ale
1050.5
1008.3
5.58
83.53%
9.67
2.03
1.5
1.75
60º
97.77%





2.23%


14th Nov
1917
PA
Pale Ale
1051.2
1014.1
4.91
72.43%
9.66
2.04
1.5
1.75
60.5º
92.38%



0.23%
5.31%
2.09%


2nd Jan
1918
PA
Pale Ale
1051.1
1013.3
4.99
73.96%
9.72
6.54
1.5
1.75
60º
92.13%
5.94%


0.13%

1.80%


16th Jan
1918
PA
Pale Ale
1051.2
1013.9
4.95
72.97%
8.70
1.82
1.5
1.75
60º
91.58%
3.05%

3.05%
0.16%

2.15%


11th Apr
1918
PA
Pale Ale
1039.5
1012.2
3.61
69.12%
9.99
1.66
1.5
1.75
61.5º
74.94%
12.49%

12.49%
0.08%




20th Jun
1918
PA
Pale Ale
1039.3
1009.4
3.96
76.06%
9.68
1.67
1.5
1.75
64º
74.65%
19.14%

3.83%
0.09%

2.29%


7th Nov
1918
PA
Pale Ale
1038.8
1009.4
3.89
75.73%
9.45
1.64
1.75

61º
77.55%
18.35%

0.00%
0.18%

3.92%


16th Jan
1919
PA
Pale Ale
1038.5
1008.9
3.92
76.98%
9.25
1.62
1.75

61.5º
78.14%
8.14%

8.14%
0.17%

5.41%


16th Apr
1919
PA
Pale Ale
1041.6
1009.7
4.21
76.67%
9.99
2.50
1.75

61.5º
81.48%
6.24%

7.49%
0.10%
4.68%



19th Jun
1919
PA
Pale Ale
1050.6
1012.2
5.09
75.93%
9.72
2.05
1.5
1.5
62º
77.72%
6.76%

6.76%
0.14%
6.76%
1.86%


26th Jun
1919
PA
Pale Ale
1050.5
1008.9
5.51
82.45%
9.68
2.05
1.5
1.5
62º
77.51%
6.74%

6.74%
0.08%
6.74%
2.19%


20th Aug
1919
PA
Pale Ale
1054.8
1013.9
5.42
74.73%
10.13
2.42
1.5
1.5
60.5º
72.07%
8.96%

9.77%
0.08%
8.55%
0.56%


27th Aug
1919
PA
Pale Ale
1054.2
1013.3
5.41
75.47%
9.96
2.28
1.5
1.5
61º
74.03%
8.80%

8.80%
0.16%
8.06%
0.16%


11th Feb
1920
PA
Pale Ale
1055.0
1015.2
5.26
72.31%
9.80
2.17
1.5
1.5
58.5º
78.81%
3.23%

3.23%
0.17%
13.34%
1.22%


12th Feb
1920
PA
Pale Ale
1054.8
1015.8
5.17
71.21%
9.80
2.28
1.5
1.5
59º
78.00%
3.06%


3.90%
13.76%
1.28%


16th Jun
1920
PA
Pale Ale
1054.8
1011.6
5.72
78.79%
8.82
1.93
1.5
1.75
60º
81.40%
1.52%

1.52%
0.11%
14.23%
1.22%


Source:


Fuller's brewing records.



http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jjkw5aSiY2g/T8dtAh0zerI/AAAAAAAAJII/r2P-sz_MOJk/s320/Fullers_PA_Ale_1914_1920.jpg (http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jjkw5aSiY2g/T8dtAh0zerI/AAAAAAAAJII/r2P-sz_MOJk/s1600/Fullers_PA_Ale_1914_1920.jpg)




Fuller's XK 1919 - 1920


Date
Year
Beer
Style
OG
FG
ABV
App. Attenuation
lbs hops/ qtr
hops lb/brl
boil time (hours)
boil time (hours)
Pitch temp
pale malt
no. 2 sugar
glucose
other sugar
flaked maize
primings


15th Apr
1919
XK
Pale Ale
1028.3
1005.5
3.00
80.39%
9.04
1.17
1.75

60º
74.21%
6.06%
8.08%
0.26%
4.54%
6.85%


19th Jun
1919
XK
Pale Ale
1030.2
1005.5
3.27
81.67%
9.72
1.22
1.5
1.5
62º
77.72%
6.76%
6.76%
0.14%
6.76%
1.86%


25th Jun
1919
XK
Pale Ale
1030.2
1006.1
3.19
79.84%
9.72
1.25
1.75

61.5º
78.01%
8.00%
6.00%
0.27%
6.00%
1.72%


27th Aug
1919
XK
Pale Ale
1033.8
1010.2
3.11
69.67%
9.96
1.42
1.5
1.5
61º
74.03%
8.80%
8.80%
0.16%
8.06%
0.16%


11th Feb
1920
XK
Pale Ale
1034.0
1008.6
3.36
74.74%
9.80
1.34
1.5
1.5
64º
78.81%
3.23%
3.23%
0.17%
13.34%
1.22%


16th Jun
1920
XK
Pale Ale
1036.8
1006.6
3.98
81.91%
8.82
1.29
1.5
1.75
62.5º
81.40%
1.52%
1.52%
0.11%
14.23%
1.22%


Source:


Fuller's brewing records.



http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f6NxccN_i5c/T8dtEldngeI/AAAAAAAAJIQ/AF0OWyMWKwI/s320/Fullers_XK_Ale_1919_1920.jpg (http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f6NxccN_i5c/T8dtEldngeI/AAAAAAAAJIQ/AF0OWyMWKwI/s1600/Fullers_XK_Ale_1919_1920.jpg)


That's it for this time. Next it definitely is Porter and Stout.https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5445569787371915337-8172774428157358466?l=barclayperkins.blogspot.com


More... (http://barclayperkins.blogspot.com/2012/06/fullers-pale-ales-1914-1920.html)