Aromatic Ale

[dave-o]

I've had a bag of aromatic malt sitting looking at me for a while. Time to use it, i think!

Grain bill will be something like:

Pale malt 4000g
Dark crystal 200g
Aromatic 500g
Torri 200g

I am aware it will be quite malty and a little sweet with the D.C and aromatic, but that is what i'm after! Having never used Aromatic before, though, I am not sure what else it will lend. Is 10% overkill?

And as for hops, i am wavering between Goldings and Fuggles. Probably swaying towards Fuggles, as it has more aromatic qualities too (IMO).
Ans as for yeast, Notts or S04? S04, i am thinking?

[steve_flack]

Adnams Gunhill uses aromatic malt.

4.0% abv, OG is 1047 (yes that ABV is low for the OG).
Bitterness is approx 30.
Grist is 80% pale ale malt, 2% Chocolate, 12% aromatic and 6% crystal.
Hops are 50% at start and 50% at end, using Boadicea.

[dave-o]

OK well the crystal and aromatic amounts seem roughly in keeping with that.

What is your opinion on the hops? Have you brewed with aromatic before?

[steve_flack]

I've used aromatic but only in Belgian ales. I've not used it in a British ale or in anything like the amounts that are in that Gunhill recipe (although I got that straight from the horses mouth so to speak). I've always used around 5% of it to add a bit of malt flavour.

Hops? Either goldings or fuggles would be fine but I guess fuggles are more traditional in darker beers.

[CJBrew]

Dave,

I've used aromatic malt quite a bit. It is lovely for adding a sweet caramelly texture and flavour to bitters.

I'm not sure you need so much crystal in there along with the aromatic though.
I would consider instead, using 100-150g standard crystal, plus a small handful of black malt to add the colour back. The black malt should add a little astringency that might help to balance the sweetness a bit.

I think the choc malt in the Adnams recipe will have a similar effect although it would add slightly more sweetness.

Chris

[dave-o]

Final recipe was:

3000g pale
500g wheat
500g munich
500g aromatic
200g dark crystal
100g black

20g pacific gem - full boil
25g fuggles - 10 mins
25g fuggles - flame out

S-04

A bit of a hotch-potch but should be good and characterful.