Oops, sorry! Totally forgot to post the recipe!
Here it is:
Munich-Nugget SMASH IPA
Brew Type: All Grain
Style: American IPA
Batch Size: 6.00 gal
Boil Volume: 7.94 gal
Boil Time: 60 min
Brewhouse Efficiency: 85.0 %
Ingredients Amount Item Type % or IBU
13.00 lb Munich Malt (9.0 SRM) Grain 100.0 %
1.00 oz Nugget [12.20%] (60 min) Hops 34.6 IBU
0.50 oz Nugget [12.20%] (20 min) (First Wort Hop) Hops 11.5 IBU
0.75 oz Nugget [12.20%] (0 min) Hops
1.00 oz Nugget [12.20%] (Dry hop) Hops
1 Pkgs California Ale (White Labs #WLP001) Yeast-Ale
Beer Profile Estimated
Original Gravity: 1.068 SG (1.056-1.075 SG)
Measured Original Gravity: 1.068 SG
Estimated Final Gravity: 1.015 SG (1.010-1.018 SG)
Measured Final Gravity: 1.018 SG
Estimated Color: 11.4 SRM (6.0-15.0 SRM)
Bitterness: 46.2 IBU (40.0-65.0 IBU)
Alpha Acid Units: 3.1 AAU
Estimated Alcohol by Volume: 6.9 % (5.5-7.5 %)
Actual Alcohol by Volume: 6.5 %
Actual Calories: 309 cal/pint
Mash Profile Name: Single Infusion, Medium Body, Batch Sparge Mash Tun Weight: 9.00 lb
Mash Grain Weight: 13.00 lb Mash PH: 5.4 PH
Grain Temperature: 72.0 F Sparge Temperature: 168.0 F
Sparge Water: 5.40 gal
Name Description Step Temp Step Time
Mash In Add 17.42 qt of water at 165.1 F 154.0 F 60 min
This turned out super malty for an IPA, but that's what I was going for. I thought that the bitterness was just about right for what I was trying to achieve, and the FWH hops smoothed everything together nicely. It had a good hop flavor going on, but the hop aroma was definitely lacking. Basically, I've found that Nugget is a really nice bittering hop, and a pretty good flavor hop.. it's just lacking in aroma, or rather, it doesn't serve as a good aroma hop (unsurprisingly). I've also learned that Munich can make a DELICIOUS single malt beer, easily standing on it's own without assistance from other malts, IMHO. I would recommend doing a protein rest @ about 130*F to improve head retention (mine had a thick head but dissipated faster than usual.. still a great lace on the glass though), and if you wanted to dry this out some (mine finished @ 1.018) the Hochkurz mash schedule would probably be fantastic for this beer. If I have a surplus of Nugget, I'd try this again.
NOTE: I calculated the FWH as a 20 minute addition, as I have agreed with the assertion that this more accurately reflects the perceived bitterness that FWHing contributes. Do what you will, to each his own.