Okay so here goes my question:
I was discussing on another thread about pulling some of the first runnings off of a batch of Scotch Ale and carmelizing it in order to provide some diacetyl-like flavors. (For the lead up to this conclusion see other post)
I got to thinking and this makes a lot of sense but then thought about what kind of havoc this would wreak on my gravity calculations.
I have decided to take about 1.5 gallons of first runnings and boil that down to about 1/2 gallon. That ought to provide plenty of caramellish goodness to a ten gallon batch (I think).
This beer is for a competition so the details have to be nailed down pretty well.
My question then is this. How would I calculate the gravity points that the decoction would add to the batch and how could best arrive at the f.g. that will keep me true to the style standards.
And one more: Would'nt that caramelized stuff darken the color up a bunch? Could I modify the recipe in any kind of way to adjust for it?
I am beersmith savy so that may make it easier but i dont quite know how to plug it all in.
I was discussing on another thread about pulling some of the first runnings off of a batch of Scotch Ale and carmelizing it in order to provide some diacetyl-like flavors. (For the lead up to this conclusion see other post)
I got to thinking and this makes a lot of sense but then thought about what kind of havoc this would wreak on my gravity calculations.
I have decided to take about 1.5 gallons of first runnings and boil that down to about 1/2 gallon. That ought to provide plenty of caramellish goodness to a ten gallon batch (I think).
This beer is for a competition so the details have to be nailed down pretty well.
My question then is this. How would I calculate the gravity points that the decoction would add to the batch and how could best arrive at the f.g. that will keep me true to the style standards.
And one more: Would'nt that caramelized stuff darken the color up a bunch? Could I modify the recipe in any kind of way to adjust for it?
I am beersmith savy so that may make it easier but i dont quite know how to plug it all in.