Making my first stout

[flabyboy]

I just received a kit for an Samuel Smith Oatmeal Stout from Austin Homebrew Supply. The recipe calls for a mash temp of 150. Is this normal for a stout?? Seems kind of low to me. Don't want this thing to taste like cider

 

[indigi]

The Samuel Smith Oatmeal Stout is pretty dry as I recall, and you're most likely using a low-attenuating English yeast, so that's not too surprising really. Raise it to 152* if you really want, but I wouldn't go much higher. I'm not sure why a lower mash temp would make it taste like cider.

 

[flabyboy]

The Samuel Smith Oatmeal Stout is pretty dry as I recall, and you're most likely using a low-attenuating English yeast, so that's not too surprising really. Raise it to 152* if you really want, but I wouldn't go much higher. I'm not sure why a lower mash temp would make it taste like cider.

I'm going to use the Wyeast London Ale III yeast and do an open fermentation. I just don't want it to dry. I always felt SS Oatmeal Stout had a touch of sweetness to it

 

[By-Tor]

Drinking one right now. It doesent seem to be sweet,but not real dry either,with just a touch of tangyness at the end. Not the smoothest stout,but quite well balanced.

 

[flabyboy]

Its been open for a couple days. Ain't it pretty?

 

[rycov]

i always kinda wanted to do an open fermentation, just never had the balls to go through with it. tell us how it comes out

 

[flabyboy]

Just moved this into the secondary after 3 days. Skimmed the Krausen a few times. Its amazing how quickly a new one forms. Gravity went from 1.056 to 1.018 in 48 hours.

 

[flabyboy]

So this experiment turned out really well. The stout was drinkable within a month. My only regret is not mash at a higher temp. The recipe called for 150. I mashed at 151. It just doesn't have the mouthfeel I was looking for. The open fermentation experiment went well and was a fun experience. I will probably try it again with a hefewezien this spring