First experiment

[Jymbo]

I plan to start my fourth kit, an Almondbury Old from Brupaks, and I would like to try adding a little extra flavour and body as some of the kits I've done up to now have been a little light for my taste.

Obviously I don't want to ruin the balance of the ale by adding the wrong thing, or too much of the right thing. I was thinking of adding some dark crystal malt to increase the taste and the body, but I'm not sure how much too add or if this is the right thing to add at all.

I'd be grateful for any tips or pointers to a good source of information for doing this sort of thing. I've included an analysis of the ale below.

Thanks,

Jymbo




ALMONDBURY OLD is a traditional Old Ale, a style which has enjoyed a renaissance among the new breed of micro brewers. It is a rich tawny ale with a subtle roasted malt flavour and a distinct hop character in the style of the Old Ales' of fifty years ago, darker and richer than a Bitter but lighter and hoppier than a Brown Ale or Porter. This beer style has a wide appeal, especially with younger drinkers. Brews 40 pints.

TYPICAL ANALYSIS

Barley: 2-row, brewing quality
Hops: English Aroma Varieties
Colour EBC: 50 to 55
Bitterness (EBU): 35 to 40
Protein (N x 6.25): 4.0% to 6.5%
Acidity (as lactic): 1.0% maximum
pH: 5.0 to 5.5
Solids: 80% to 82%

[Jymbo]

Cheers, DaaB,

I'll order up some dark crystal malt and goldings today. When you say "steep the grains" do you mean to steep them in the almondbury wort or in water? Also, how much water/wort do I need to steep them in?

Thanks for all your help,

Jymbo

[Jymbo]

Cheers, Daab,

Followed you instructions and used Safale-04 (rehydrated it) and bottled Tescos water (17p for 2L PET bottle). Checked this morning and the fermenter lid was caked in brown scum so it seems to have gotten off to a good start. OG was 1044. The Brupaks instructions state an FG of 1010 - will the addition of the dark crystal malt bump this up a bit? Also, should the addition of 100g of dark crystal malt increase the final alcohol content?

Thanks again for all your advice.

Jymbo