Can some experienced Drinkers Please Critique This Oatmeal Stout Bill?

How does this look for an oatmeal stout:

25.00 lb Pale Malt (2 Row) US (2.0 SRM) Grain 74.07 %
2.00 lb Oats, Flaked (1.0 SRM) Grain 5.93 %
1.50 lb Chocolate Malt (350.0 SRM) Grain 4.44 %
1.25 lb Cara-Pils/Dextrine (2.0 SRM) Grain 3.70 %
1.25 lb Caramel/Crystal Malt - 20L (20.0 SRM) Grain 3.70 %
1.25 lb Melanoiden Malt (20.0 SRM) Grain 3.70 %
0.75 lb Barley, Flaked (1.7 SRM) Grain 2.22 %
0.75 lb Roasted Barley (300.0 SRM) Grain 2.22 %

2.00 oz Chinook [13.00 %] (60 min) Hops 31.9 IBU
2.00 oz Zeus [14.00 %] (30 min) Hops 26.4 IBU

0.50 tsp Irish Moss (Boil 10.0 min) Misc

2 Pkgs SafAle English Ale (DCL Yeast #S-04) Yeast-Ale

The grain bill needn't be so complicated! I can't comment on the contribution of melanoidin malt, as I've not yet used it; however, both the oats and CaraPils dextrine malt aid in head retention so I think using both is redundant to your end goal.

I'd also adjust your hop schedule and choice of hop. I find the bitterness of Chinook to be a bit harsh.

70% base malt
20% flaked oats
10% roasted barley

flyangler18 said:

The grain bill needn't be so complicated! I can't comment on the contribution of melanoidin malt, as I've not yet used it; however, both the oats and CaraPils dextrine malt aid in head retention so I think using both is redundant to your end goal.

I'd also adjust your hop schedule and choice of hop. I find the bitterness of Chinook to be a bit harsh.

70% base malt
20% flaked oats
10% roasted barley

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10% roasted barley must give you a pretty big flavor! I want my wife to like this too. . .

How about something more like this:

28.00 lb Pale Malt (2 Row) US (2.0 SRM) Grain 82.35 %
4.00 lb Oats, Flaked (1.0 SRM) Grain 11.76 %
2.00 lb Roasted Barley (300.0 SRM) Grain 5.88 %
2.00 oz Chinook [13.00 %] (60 min) Hops 31.6 IBU
2.00 oz Zeus [14.00 %] (30 min) Hops 26.2 IBU
0.50 tsp Irish Moss (Boil 10.0 min) Misc
2 Pkgs SafAle English Ale (DCL Yeast #S-04) Yeast-Ale

So if Chinook is too harsh, what other NW style hops would be appropriate? I'm in Portland Oregon so I am partial to the floral hops. I usually use Centennial, Amarillo Simcoe or Newport.

What is your batch size, expected OG and IBU?

I agree with fly angler that is doesn't need to be so complicated. Carapils is not really necessary in this bill. Both Crystal 20 and the Oatmeal will add body and head retention. Flaked Barley is also unnecessary when you are using Oatmeal.
Don't know about Melanoiden.

Chinook hops provide a nice bite when used for bittering. i like them in my IPAs but if you want a nice smooth stout then a more neutral hops would work better.

Craig

CBBaron said:

What is your batch size, expected OG and IBU?

I agree with fly angler that is doesn't need to be so complicated. Carapils is not really necessary in this bill. Both Crystal 20 and the Oatmeal will add body and head retention. Flaked Barley is also unnecessary when you are using Oatmeal.
Don't know about Melanoiden.

Chinook hops provide a nice bite when used for bittering. i like them in my IPAs but if you want a nice smooth stout then a more neutral hops would work better.

Craig

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I do a 12 gallon batch. OG 1.070 - 1.078 somewhere around 45-55 IBU.

oswegan said:

I do a 12 gallon batch. OG 1.070 - 1.078 somewhere around 45-55 IBU.

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That's way over the guidelines for both the IBUs and the OG, so your beer really doesn't resemble an oatmeal stout in anything but name only.

flyangler18 said:

That's way over the guidelines for both the IBUs and the OG, so your beer really doesn't resemble an oatmeal stout in anything but name only.

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BeerSmith has American Stout style at:

1.050-1.075 OG

30.0-40.0 SRM

35.0-75.0 IBU

oswegan said:

BeerSmith has American Stout style at:

1.050-1.075 OG

30.0-40.0 SRM

35.0-75.0 IBU

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Sure, but you stated you wanted an Oatmeal Stout.

Style Guidelines for Oatmeal Stout
1.048 - 1.065 OG
22 - 40 SRM
25 - 40 IBU

An American Stout with oats is fine but would be different from an Oatmeal Stout.

I like chocolate malt, crystal 90, and roast barley in equal amounts in my Oatmeal Stout. This is a different beer than a Dry stout and has more in common with Milk Stout IMO. Hop with something English-ish from UK Goldings to Williamette. I hop to 37-ish IBUs because the roast can handle it.