I just brewed this...

[johnmac]

McSteam Beer

46 litres OG 1056
1.5 hour Single infusion mash @ 67`c
90min Boil
11kg Pale Malt
500g Crystal Malt
400g Wheat Malt
40g Chocolate Malt

65g Challenger 8.6% start of boil
30g Cascade 6.8% start of boil
30g Cascade “ after 75 min.
40g Cascade “ after 85 min.
40g Cascade “ after 90 min. = about 55 IBU
1Whirlfloc @ 80min.
Batch split to try two different yeasts:
US05 ferment @ 16c
S33 “ @ 16c

Dry hop 15 g cascades in secondary for 1 week.

The recipe is based on one on the Northern Craft Brewers site and as I have plenty of pale malt, I thought I would deliberately go for an ultra low efficiency. Sparge stopped at about 10 brix. I should have used the malt for something else, but it was dark when I finished. I did feel bad about putting it in the compost bin though.

Did I over do the hops?

[delboy]

Thats going to be one hoppy brew especially the batch using US-05 it really lets the hops shine (be sure and let us know how the two batches compare)
As far as over doing the hops, I suppose it depends on whether you are a hop head or not, personally that would be a touch too much for me but you and others might love it that way.
Coming to think of it compared to some US homebrews recipes (IBUs in the hundreds) i've seen this would be deemed as a bit lacking in the hop department.

[johnmac]

IBUs in the hundreds

Maybe they cope with that because they drink it freezing cold?

[Vossy1]

You'll be alright with those IBU's JM
The IPA I did was about 58 IBU and it's mellowed beautifully

Not at all bitter

[johnmac]

and it's mellowed beautifully

I almost hope that this doesn't turn out that good because at 1056OG, if it's that good, my liver may explode

[Vossy1]

my liver may explode

And

[johnmac]

And then I'll die! But if you're going to kill yourself, may as well enjoy doing it

[Vossy1]

Was this the 1st brew of the new set up

[niall]

That's a lot of grain - how big is your mash tun?

[Vossy1]

That's a lot of grain

It's not for a 46ltr brew
A 50ltr mt would easily handle 11kg. I've had mine upto 15kg

[niall]

Vossy, What water/grain ratio do you use? I recently bought a 48qt (45 litre) coolbox and I'm wondering what I can fit in with a ratio of around 3l/kg. I would guess about 11 kg max (presuming 3 x 11 litres = 33 + 11kg grain = 44? I don't know if this is the correct way to work it out but my previous batches in a smaller coolbox seemed to work with this calculation). I'm reluctant to go lower than this ratio in case I get (another) stuck runoff - I batch sparge by the way. Sorry for hijacking the thread johnmc

[Vossy1]

Do you know niall, I don't know
I've just gone of previous brews. I use a liquor ration of 2.5ltr/1kg, though I'm going to try upping this to take account of full volume run off for first batch sparge.

I'd say go off your previous figures, as they work and adjust along the way

[niall]

Cheers Vossy. I'll have a better idea after the next brew.
By the way 55 IBUs doesn't sound too high for that gravity - I recently did a 60 IBU IPA and it wasn't as bitter as I expected. I think some hops are 'harsher' than others which can increase 'perceived' bitterness (to me at least).

[johnmac]

Sorry for hijacking the thread

I think thread hijacks are perhaps a sign of a healthy forum, with plenty of questions and opinions. Nial, sorry to hijack your hijack

[niall]

I'll let you off - just this once