Strong Stout

[PieOPah]

On Friday 27th, I have the day off work while the wife doesn't. This means that I have the oppurtunity to brew...

Since I have almost run out f stout, the plan was to make myself another.

While I have enjoyed all of the beers I have made, I like to try out different recipes. In fact, one thing I have (Just) started is to document each beer and am going to be saving a number of bottles. This way if I do love a beer, I can remake it.

Anyway, I am deviating....

Most of my beers tend to end up at around 5% no matter what I do. Since my average efficiency has been around 55%, I thought I would design the recipe at this efficiency meaning if I get better then that is great.

So, this recipe should give me about 6.4% ABV

Amount Item Type % or IBU
6.00 kg Pale Malt, Maris Otter (3.0 SRM) Grain 65.2 %
1.00 kg Caramel/Crystal Malt - 60L (60.0 SRM) Grain 10.9 %
0.60 kg CaraPils (4.0 SRM) Grain 6.5 %
0.50 kg Barley, Flaked (1.7 SRM) Grain 5.4 %
0.50 kg Roasted Barley (300.0 SRM) Grain 5.4 %
0.30 kg Black (Patent) Malt (500.0 SRM) Grain 3.3 %
0.30 kg Chocolate Malt (450.0 SRM) Grain 3.3 %
100.00 gm Hallertauer [4.80%] (60 min) Hops 44.5 IBU

What changes would you make to the beer. Too much of one thing not enough of another? Would appreciate all comments

Thanks

[mysterio]

Recipe looks fine to me. If it were me, I'd up the bitterness to around 55-60 IBUs to balance the extra malt. Maybe even knock down the black patent a little bit. Also you've already got 1kg of Crystal and .5kg of flaked barley as body enhancers, you could do without the Carapils unless you're after a very full bodied stout. What yeast are you using?

Any reason in particular for the Hallertauer for bittering?

[Seveneer]

Hi,

I'd be tempted to brew it as it is and see what you get. I agree, though, that you want to up the hops a bit.

I don't want to offend but I have to say, this looks like some kind of American recipe. In my opinion the Americans seem to use a wonderful assortment of grain in their brews compared to us conservative Brits.

Do you use a lot of these multi grain recipes? If so, do you find the taste as complex as the grain bill? I'm genuinely interested as I have never brewed with more than about 3 grains at a time. Normally I make do with 2.

/Phil.

[PieOPah]

The recipe is of my own design. Basically I had a number of grains that I hadn't done much with so wanted to throw them together (but in the right proportions)

The only reason I chose Hallertauer is because I have a bag of it and wanted to use something other than Fuggles or Goldings (also have some of this left so could add that to increase the bitterness) which is what I normally use.

Not too sure what yeast I am going to use. Probably Muntons Gold as I have some of this in already and I don't really want to have to buy anything extra for this brew.

[Seveneer]

Well, I for one would be very interested in how this turns out. I might even try it myself.

I love the simple recipes I come up with but I'm intrigued by this kind of recipe.

/Phil.

[PieOPah]

I have modified the recipe slightly (although I really should check to see what grains I actually have left first!)

6.00 kg Pale Malt, Maris Otter (3.0 SRM) Grain 70.6 %
0.50 kg Barley, Flaked (1.7 SRM) Grain 5.9 %
0.50 kg CaraPils (4.0 SRM) Grain 5.9 %
0.50 kg Caramel/Crystal Malt - 60L (60.0 SRM) Grain 5.9 %
0.50 kg Roasted Barley (300.0 SRM) Grain 5.9 %
0.25 kg Black (Patent) Malt (500.0 SRM) Grain 2.9 %
0.25 kg Chocolate Malt (450.0 SRM) Grain 2.9 %
100.00 gm Hallertauer [4.80%] (60 min) Hops 46.2 IBU
25.00 gm Fuggles [4.50%] (30 min) Hops 8.3 IBU
25.00 gm Goldings, East Kent [5.00%] (10 min) Hops 4.4 IBU

Beer Profile

Est Original Gravity: 1.062 SG
Est Final Gravity: 1.016 SG
Estimated Alcohol by Vol: 6.0 %
Bitterness: 58.9 IBU
Est Color: 48.7 SRM

I imagine that this is going to be quite a volatile brew. Not really sure how I am going to contain it other than praying that there is enough headspace on my fermenter. There should be since it is a 30 litre and I will only be fermenting 23 litres (give or take).

Damn, if I get a better efficiency that 55% (which I am expecting to) then this is going to be a beast of a beer. I am so looking forward to drinking it already