WollenBrew
Well-Known Member
Okay, I ordered a Mild Ale kit from Northern Brewer. (http://tinyurl.com/ycj2sp9) Being the type of guy I am, I wanted to up the OG a bit so that I get a more "robust" %ABV. (I mean, besides taste, ABV is important, right?
So, I thought, "Why not add 1 lb. of honey to the wort 15 min. from the end of the boil?" As I've researched this, I've found that if I just boil the pasteurized honey in the last 15 minutes, I'll probably lose most of the flavor subtleties that honey can add to a brew. I've also found that I should probably only add about 3/4 lb. to the brew after I've pasteurized it at 176°F for 2 1/2 hours, then added pasteurized water to it in order to bring the SG of the honey down to the same SG as the wort. Then, when the brew is fermenting at high krauesen, add the honey. *UGH... a LOT more work than I really want to go to*
My question is this: In your experience as a home brewer, how much of the flavor of the honey is lost if I just add it to the end of the boil? Secondly, should I add maybe .25 oz. of kent goldings to help balance? (I'm also considering adding about .25 or maybe .5 oz. of chocolate malt to the grain steep.)
Anyway, thoughts and suggestions are very welcome on this one. I'm planning on doing this brew in a month (October 20th or so).
Thanks!
So, I thought, "Why not add 1 lb. of honey to the wort 15 min. from the end of the boil?" As I've researched this, I've found that if I just boil the pasteurized honey in the last 15 minutes, I'll probably lose most of the flavor subtleties that honey can add to a brew. I've also found that I should probably only add about 3/4 lb. to the brew after I've pasteurized it at 176°F for 2 1/2 hours, then added pasteurized water to it in order to bring the SG of the honey down to the same SG as the wort. Then, when the brew is fermenting at high krauesen, add the honey. *UGH... a LOT more work than I really want to go to*
My question is this: In your experience as a home brewer, how much of the flavor of the honey is lost if I just add it to the end of the boil? Secondly, should I add maybe .25 oz. of kent goldings to help balance? (I'm also considering adding about .25 or maybe .5 oz. of chocolate malt to the grain steep.)
Anyway, thoughts and suggestions are very welcome on this one. I'm planning on doing this brew in a month (October 20th or so).
Thanks!