This beer is named after my wife, Rhian.

Realising that when my wife gives birth I will have to drive 250 miles South to be with her, I got brewing quickly so to build up a stock.   This beer is very similar to Gem, which I set brewing 2 days previously.

Mash 55°C strike temperature, then upto 67°C over 15mins & held there for 1 hour.   23 litres.

4.2 Kg pale malt

200g crystal malt

Boil 1 hour 40mins.   The heating element was a little dirty with caramelised malt sugars & I didn't clean it, so the thermostat kept cutting the heat off, taking ages to get to a boil.   Lesson learned.

Amarillo hops (9.5% alpha acid): 50g at start of boil, 30g after 50mins & 20g after 1 hr 30mins.

Pilot hops (7.8% alpha acid): 50g at start of boil.

Hallertau hops (3.3% alpha acid): 20g at 1hr 30mins.

Fermented using Muntons Gold dried yeast.   Using the very handy recipe formulator, the alcohol level should be around 4.3% & bitterness at 140 IBUⁱ.

Verdict on bottling: Not as hoppy as Gem & the hop flavour isn't as clean tasting - maybe the free hops with no date on them were old.

Verdict after 3 weeks: A little more copper coloured than a blonde ale, fairly dry with a good bitter & very floral hoppy aftertaste.   A good refreshing session beer.

Verdict after 6 weeks: A good dryish beer with a good hoppy taste & a gentle bitterness.   A good drinking beer.