Newbeerguy
Well-Known Member
I was formulating some recipes for a local hombrew contest this July and I decided I wanted to make an Oktoberfest for it. I came up with a recipe I liked then I though, hmm, wonder really how different it would be I used a traditional decoction mash? Not wanting to scrap my initial recipe I decided to brew 2 similar Oktoberfests...one using an enhanced double decoction and the other using a double infusion.
***EDIT**** Scores for Double Decoction - 32 ------ Score for Double Infusion 41 (Took first place in catagory)
Here are the recipes (not identical, but very similar)
#1 - Enhanced Double Decoction
7lb Vienna
2.5lb Munich
1.5lb Pilsner
.5lb Caramunich
1oz - Tettnang @ 60
1oz - Halleratauer @30
WLP820 Octoberfest/Marzen Lager Yeast w/3000ml starter
OG - 1.054
FG - 1.013
#2 - Double Infusion
6lb Vienna
3lb Munich
2lb Pilsner
.5lb Caramunich
.5lb Carapils
1oz - Tettnang @ 60
1oz - Halleratauer @30
WLP820 Octoberfest/Marzen Lager Yeast w/3000ml starter
OG 1.057
FG 1.014
Both were boiled for 90mins and fermented at 52 degrees then transfered to kegs to lager at 38 degrees. They've been lagering since mid April. I hooked them up to the Co2 about a week ago. Decided to sneek a sample tonight
First I will post a picture I took of them. #1 on the left and #2 on the right.(sorry crappy iPhone image)
Now here is my breakdown:
#1 - The Enhanced Double Decoction
Appearance - Ruby red to copper in color. Had a very small white head. Head dissipated rather quickly (could be due to only being on gas for a week)
Smell - I am getting alot of toffee, caramel, malt, bread. The smell is really pronounced. All smells are "sweet" I am not getting any grainy smells at all. Smells great though.
Taste - Very rich. Tasting that caramel, malt and toffee. Leaving a resin of sweetness in my mouth. Not cloyingly sweet, but the best way I can describe it is "rich". Hops are shadowed by all the malts flavor. Sticks in your mouth for a couple of swallows but finishes pretty dry.
#2 - The Double Infusion
Appearance - It is a touch darker than the first one. Copper to light brown (with red highlights) under the light. Had an off white head that stuck with it the whole glass. Maybe the carapils makes a difference?
Smell - Really I am not getting nearly as much in the way of smell on this one. Perhaps some grains...but no toffee, caramel or anything close to the decocted version. I am quite surprised to be honest.
Taste - This is the big one. The taste is much more balanced. Less pronounced as well. I get grainy, bready, just general maltyness (sp?) It finished a tad drier as well.
Overall I prefer #2...the Double Infusion. The decocted on had a much stronger smell and "richer" taste but I feel it threw the balance off of the recipe. I think with a little tweaking the decocted one could be a much better beer. I really can't get over how much more flavor/smell I get out of it. Color threw me off a bit as well as beersmith anticipated the decocted one to be the darker of the 2 but my results seem to suggest otherwise.
Since I am no BJCP certified judge, I am going to be entering both of these in the contest and will post the results back to see how my palate compares
Just wanted to share my experience with other who maybe contemplating the same thing as I was.
***EDIT**** Scores for Double Decoction - 32 ------ Score for Double Infusion 41 (Took first place in catagory)
Here are the recipes (not identical, but very similar)
#1 - Enhanced Double Decoction
7lb Vienna
2.5lb Munich
1.5lb Pilsner
.5lb Caramunich
1oz - Tettnang @ 60
1oz - Halleratauer @30
WLP820 Octoberfest/Marzen Lager Yeast w/3000ml starter
OG - 1.054
FG - 1.013
#2 - Double Infusion
6lb Vienna
3lb Munich
2lb Pilsner
.5lb Caramunich
.5lb Carapils
1oz - Tettnang @ 60
1oz - Halleratauer @30
WLP820 Octoberfest/Marzen Lager Yeast w/3000ml starter
OG 1.057
FG 1.014
Both were boiled for 90mins and fermented at 52 degrees then transfered to kegs to lager at 38 degrees. They've been lagering since mid April. I hooked them up to the Co2 about a week ago. Decided to sneek a sample tonight
First I will post a picture I took of them. #1 on the left and #2 on the right.(sorry crappy iPhone image)
Now here is my breakdown:
#1 - The Enhanced Double Decoction
Appearance - Ruby red to copper in color. Had a very small white head. Head dissipated rather quickly (could be due to only being on gas for a week)
Smell - I am getting alot of toffee, caramel, malt, bread. The smell is really pronounced. All smells are "sweet" I am not getting any grainy smells at all. Smells great though.
Taste - Very rich. Tasting that caramel, malt and toffee. Leaving a resin of sweetness in my mouth. Not cloyingly sweet, but the best way I can describe it is "rich". Hops are shadowed by all the malts flavor. Sticks in your mouth for a couple of swallows but finishes pretty dry.
#2 - The Double Infusion
Appearance - It is a touch darker than the first one. Copper to light brown (with red highlights) under the light. Had an off white head that stuck with it the whole glass. Maybe the carapils makes a difference?
Smell - Really I am not getting nearly as much in the way of smell on this one. Perhaps some grains...but no toffee, caramel or anything close to the decocted version. I am quite surprised to be honest.
Taste - This is the big one. The taste is much more balanced. Less pronounced as well. I get grainy, bready, just general maltyness (sp?) It finished a tad drier as well.
Overall I prefer #2...the Double Infusion. The decocted on had a much stronger smell and "richer" taste but I feel it threw the balance off of the recipe. I think with a little tweaking the decocted one could be a much better beer. I really can't get over how much more flavor/smell I get out of it. Color threw me off a bit as well as beersmith anticipated the decocted one to be the darker of the 2 but my results seem to suggest otherwise.
Since I am no BJCP certified judge, I am going to be entering both of these in the contest and will post the results back to see how my palate compares
Just wanted to share my experience with other who maybe contemplating the same thing as I was.