Strong English Pale Ale

[Geezah]

How does this look for a simple extract & mini mash brew?
Have I gone astray / missed something?

[Jocky]

Personally I would up the hops all round - more bitterness especially to support the higher alcohol level and sweetness you're going to get in that. Note you're at the bottom end of the range for bitterness, but at the top for starting and final gravity.

Also I like hops.

[Geezah]

My taste is more hop flavour than bittering, hence I used a small amount for 60 mins and more late additions.
Do you think I need more bittering?

The tipples i'm basing my tastes on are Marstons Old Empire, Tanglefoot, Golden Glory, Fursty Ferret, Bombadier Gold ...etc

[Monkeybrew]

Hi matey, what software are you using there?

I would also suggest that your IBU's are a bit low for a relatively high OG.

Getting the balance right for your own taste is the most important thing though, so sometimes you just have to brew something as planned and then evaluate your findings for the next attempt.

MB

[Nofolkandchance]

Geezah, what programme/software did you use for that? Is it internet based?

[Geezah]

Yeah it is internet based..

www.tastybrew.com/

I dont mind upping the IBU with another 15g of fuggles for the 60 min boil which should get me closer to 35 IBU

[Jocky]

Yeah it is internet based..

http://www.tastybrew.com/

I dont mind upping the IBU with another 15g of fuggles for the 60 min boil which should get me closer to 35 IBU

My opinion would be that you're still going to be low - you've got a beer that is going to be over 6% strength, it could support 50 or 60 IBU total.

Having said that, going by the beers you've mentioned, I think you have too high a starting gravity - they're more around the 4.5-5% strength, which would be better balanced with the smaller amount of hops you want.

I have a 6.2% strength beer in my cupboard that has only 40 IBU in it, and while the hop taste and aroma are great, it's simply not bitter enough to take the edge of the extra alcohol and sweetness.