Challenger Hop Recipe

[Archie1978]

so, getting into recipe creation seems to me to be the most daunting part of all grain brewing (despite the wonderful array of forums and software available), it also seems to me that an understanding of hop characteristics is pretty much a no brainer, following this train of thought i have started a 5 gallon batch (if it tastes vile i know a philistine who will drink it.) of the following:

Grains: 5kg pale malt, 200g pale DME

Mash schedule: 60 mins @ 66c
Boil: 60 mins
Hop Schedule: 30g Challenger @ 60 mins
30g Challenger @ 30 mins
30g Challenger @ 0mins (20 min steep)

Estimated values (based on 75% efficiency) ABV 5.2%
EBC 9
EBU 56

As always any thoughts would be appreciated, brew on.............

[Padalac]

just curious.. why do you add 200g pale dme?

[Archie1978]

The DME was added to give a bit more body to the brew, with the relatively low mash temp there will be more fermentables in the wort

[mozza]

Scrap the DME. Add torrified wheat or some oats instead. Or failing that mash at a nice high temperature ie 69 degrees.
I love challenger hops I think they are fantastic in bitters. I bet it will be a cracking pint

[Archie1978]

Here's hoping! I have called it "Thrice hopped Once shy" the recipe above would be mark one. The next batch will have a higher mash temp but same boil and hop schedule

[Matt]

You can't go wrong with Challenger, lovely. 56 is quite bitter so personally I'd be aiming to leave that for 3 months conditioning, after which it should be glorious, and get a smaller beer on (like a 3.5-4% session beer) to be ready to drink quicker. Just my 2p though. Enjoy!

[Deebee]

You could also add some carapils to the mash for more body.