Strong winter ale recipe - input welcome

[Dack]

Back in October, I made a stab at a strong winter ale, mostly using stuff I had lying around from previous brews. I didn't want anything spiced, more strong and sweet, a little bit of bitterness. Ideally, it would've been like Fyne Ales' Holly Daze. It's in the corny now, with a dozen bottles filled beforehand. The feedback from a mate was overwhelmingly positive; apparently it's similar to McEwan's Champion. Personally, I don't care for it. It tastes like there's something... missing. My first instinct is usually to just up the hops next time, but in this case I don't think it would work with the sweetness.

Anyways, it's not one I'm willing to brand a failure, but I'd like to improve it for the next time. Any and all input would be lovely.

"Jim Morrison Ain't Dead" Winter ale (My Doors poster fell on my head when I was finishing the dough-in, it seemed appropriate!); 7.6% ABV

3.5kg Maris Otter pale malt
1kg Dark Crystal malt
1kg pale wheat malt

44g Challenger (90mins)
45g Hallertau Mittelfruh (30mins)
45g Tettnang (First Wort)

Yeast was a re-used trub of Wyeast London III from a racked-off pale ale.

OG: 1.072
FG: 1.010

[Blackaddler]

You may have overdone the Crystal. Perhaps try about 10% next time?

[dave-o]

Wow yes, 20% dark crystal? Isn't it like liquid caramel?

[boingy]

Yep, the crystal leaps out for me too.
Maybe half the crystal, bump up the pale to compensate and chuck in a bit of choc malt or black malt for colour.

[Dack]

Wow yes, 20% dark crystal? Isn't it like liquid caramel?

Funnily enough, no. It's not got an overpowering sweetness to it. As best I can taste, the crystal gives it a nice sort of cinder toffee tang against the alcohol. If it wasn't so strong it'd definitely be a different story... still, aye, the crystal is probably a bit overdone.

[boingy]

And definitely don't bin it. Your mate likes it and you will probably find it will improve over the next few months.

[dave-o]

Yeah and you could always brew a weak, hoppy ale and mix them!

[Dack]

Quick photo for reference. Apologies, shitty phone camera doesn't quite cut it. It's hard to see, but in reality it's a very, very dark red/copper colour.

[Dack]

And definitely don't bin it. Your mate likes it and you will probably find it will improve over the next few months.

Definitely not. My wife loves the gravy I made with it, and I'm using it as an excuse to get another corny

As a rule, I always keep at least one bottle of brew for six months, just to see if it makes a big difference or not. I figure this is big enough, strength wise, to be worth checking much further down the road. (I have to confess, just been sipping at it there after taking the photo... it's gotten a bit better already. Definitely one for sipping mind.)