xmas beast

[mooj]

Second time using my macro brewery set-up and I've discovered its limits as my 10L insulated mashing bucket is full to the brim I did know it was going to be touch and go:-

Xmas Beast @ 14 litres 43ebc

3kg Marris Otter 5ebc
700g Dark wheat malt 15ebc
300g Caramunch 90ebc
40g Chocolate 800ebc

64 degC 1 hour 15 (bit lower temp than I'd hoped for)
Put the mash on at 11.35am

90mins - 15g Pacific gem 15.2aa
15mins - 5g Pacific gem
5g Challenger 7.3aa
20g Progress 8.3aa
5mins - 5g Pacific gem
- 5g Challenger

yeast nottingham / so4 mix

Sparging will be via the jug method

Trying to use up some Pacific Gem hops to make a strong one for Christmas, hoping for spice and berry hops, warm caramel malt and a hint of chocolate.

SWMBO will get a shock when she comes back from shopping and finds me in the kitchen brewhouse once again . I like living on the edge as you can see.

[mooj]

ok, mashing a bit longer as I was too busy writing a post and not heating the sparge water. Never mind, water taken from hot tap (I have a combi boiler), so should be there soon, already at 65deg.

Any one think the hops are too much? I don't want to mask the maltiness of this brew.

[prolix]

if left till christmas then I can't see the hops being a problem, as the og will be greater than the IBU so passes the rule of thumb , just.

[Vossy1]

The hops will mellow nicely as will the bitterness, so no need to worry

Hope your enjoying the brew day

[mooj]

Thanks for the reassurrance chaps.

Collected 17.5L @ 1048, 70% mash efficiency.

Wort boiling, first hop addition at 2.25pm.

Everything smooth so far, SWMBO will be greeted by an amazing aroma when she finally gets back

[mooj]

Ok, just changed my time timezone to GMT, doh!

[mooj]

A question for whoevers reading..

Anyone see the point in the late hop additions? What if I scale them down and add them now. Figured after 8 weeks there will be little aroma left anyway?

[mooj]

I have added all the challenger, will change the recipe to reflect after I'm finished. SWMBO back and wants computer will clock in later to let you know the results.

[mooj]

Daab, I think I did the opposite of what you said. I ended up adding the challenger early to get the most out of them, then I read your post . Hopefully there will still be some aroma from the 15 minute & steep addition. Here's the final brew.

Xmas Beast, 43ebc, 1060og, 64IBU

3kg Marris Otter 5ebc
700g Dark wheat malt 15ebc
300g Caramunch 90ebc
40g Chocolate 800ebc

64 degC 1 hour 30mins

90mins - 15g Pacific gem 15.2aa
30mins - 10g Challenger 7.3aa
15mins - 20g Progress 8.3aa
0mins - 5g Pacific gem

yeast - nottingham / so4 mix

I'm looking forward to Christmas already

[TC2642]

Looks like a sound recipe. Please tell us how it turns out, rather good qould be my initial view.

[spearmint-wino]

I've never used Pacific Gem before - let us know how it turns out, I'd be keen to hear. Hope the brewday went well

edit: oh, and great thread title... I hope this is one xmas beast that well and truly kicks ass!

[mooj]

I've never used Pacific Gem before - let us know how it turns out, I'd be keen to hear. Hope the brewday went well

Brewday went pretty smooth, cheers. Bubbling away gently now, pretty cool in the house, just how I like it, I'm not too keen on strong esters.

I've found pacific gem really good btw. They're supposed to suit both bittering and aroma and although I've always been wary of this claim, they've never left a harsh taste in my beers imo. I think you get a berry-like aroma from them. I might try an all pacific gem brew soon.

Please tell us how it turns out, rather good qould be my initial view.

I will be sure to let you know how good the 'quold'(??) is. My opinion will of course be superbly enhanced from the high abv.