So I just ordered this kit and was thinking of ways to make it more my own. The original kit contains the following:
Steep:
.5lb Roasted Barley
.5lb Black Malt
.5lb Chocolate Malt
60 min:
6lb Dark Malt LME
1.75 oz Summit
15 min:
6lb Dark Malt LME
Aroma:
2 oz Cascade
It comes out to 1.805 and 8.3 ABV.
The changes I'm thinking of making:
Adding 1lb to each Steeped Grain for a total of 4.5 lbs steeped. That will bring the OG up to 1.098 according to BeerTarget. Also it'll make it blacker than black, which is awesome. Is steeping nearly 5lbs of grains madness?
Also, I think I should add the second 6lbs of LME earlier so it thickens up. What is the point of adding it later in the boil?
The final think I'm considering doing is adding 2oz of bourbon soaked oak cubes and 3 vanilla beans to the secondary for about 6 months or so.
After the secondary bulk aging, how do you go about carbonating? It probably doesn't need much being a big stout, but some would be nice. Will the yeast survive that long? I plan on making a massive starter for it. Would it make more sense to bottle it after say 2 months in the secondary and aging in the bottles?
Thanks, this is going to be my first attempt at a big brew, and any input would be awesome.
Steep:
.5lb Roasted Barley
.5lb Black Malt
.5lb Chocolate Malt
60 min:
6lb Dark Malt LME
1.75 oz Summit
15 min:
6lb Dark Malt LME
Aroma:
2 oz Cascade
It comes out to 1.805 and 8.3 ABV.
The changes I'm thinking of making:
Adding 1lb to each Steeped Grain for a total of 4.5 lbs steeped. That will bring the OG up to 1.098 according to BeerTarget. Also it'll make it blacker than black, which is awesome. Is steeping nearly 5lbs of grains madness?
Also, I think I should add the second 6lbs of LME earlier so it thickens up. What is the point of adding it later in the boil?
The final think I'm considering doing is adding 2oz of bourbon soaked oak cubes and 3 vanilla beans to the secondary for about 6 months or so.
After the secondary bulk aging, how do you go about carbonating? It probably doesn't need much being a big stout, but some would be nice. Will the yeast survive that long? I plan on making a massive starter for it. Would it make more sense to bottle it after say 2 months in the secondary and aging in the bottles?
Thanks, this is going to be my first attempt at a big brew, and any input would be awesome.