Recent content by Trw0007

I'll second MO and EKG, especially if you haven't done any British beers. Or, although it's not a SMaSH, adding a touch of crystal will get you a simple and nice ordinary bitter. I've used Vienna in a SMaSH and it works well. Maybe add a German hop and do a simple vienna lager.

As for your carbonation issues, consider buying some carbonation drops (Amazon has the prime eligible at like $6 a pack). You'll add about $1 per gallon brew, but it's the easiest and most consistent way to bottle carb a 1 gallon batch.

I've only used it in a brown ale, but about 5% seemed to be a good amount without being cloying. I don't have the recipe with me, but I think it was 2 row, aromatic malt, honey malt, c40 and chocolate malt with willamette to 30ish IBUs. I generally shoot for 5-6% Abv.