2nd Partial mash beer kit ??'s

[Oakwoodforge]

Ok so I just ordered my 2nd Partial mash beer kit, thought I may try tweaking it a bit. I ordered a NB Mild English Ale kit ( with grains ) and added 1 lb Simpsons Peated Malt grain and some heather tips as well as a tad more hops to my order. But since this is only my 2nd bier kit, In your Opinion should I just stick to the kit or should I start thinking outside the box and add the extra grain & other goodies ?

Jens

 

[pahiker6]

I say definitely go for it. I just finished my third partial mash this weekend - Scottish Ale. I added extra DME, messed with the hop addition and added some hops from a previous kit, added some juniper berries to the boil, and I'm thinking of adding heather tips and some herb my girlfriend grew to the secondary as a sort of dry hopping.

BTW, how much heather tips did you order? How were thinking of adding these to the brew?

 

[Oakwoodforge]

I got 2 oz of heather tips, I was going to add them in the last 10 min of the boil- anybody have any advice on that ? I'm looking to get a wee bit of smoky-peaty highland flavor in my ale.

Jens

 

[david_42]

Peat smoked malt is very strong. I used 8 oz. in a barley wine and it took over a year before it was drinkable. I'd cut it to 4 oz. or even 2.

 

[niquejim]

Do whatever you wish, that's why we homebrew.
I did the same as you experimenting with my first few batches. I wish now that I would have followed the recipes a little closer so I could learn what the different flavors did to the beers. But that's just MHO.

Also peated malt is very strong so I would agree with david_42 and use less than you think you need.

I'm thinking you're trying for a Scottish flavor, correct? If so there is no peated malts in most Scottsh Ales. The flavors come from carmelizing the wort and the yeast.
If you like Scottish ales here's a great recipe to look forward to making as you get more experience

http://www.skotrat.com/skotrat/recipes.cfm

(edit) The link takes you to the main recipe page, go to Scottish ales and look at Traquair house clone

 

[Oakwoodforge]

Thanks for the tips Guys, I'm going for something approaching Fraoch Heather Ale, from the sound of it my initial idea would have been darn near un-drinkable. I think I'll use just a 2 oz of the peated malt as suggested, and hopefully have a good drinkable brew.
Any suggestions on how to use the heather tips? My instinct is to add them with the last hop addition- or should I start them early in the boil. Also what quantity of sweet gale would be correct 2 oz 4 oz 8oz ? We are not afraid of big flavor beers in my house, but I would like this to be drinkable.

Anybody have a recipe for "Fraoch Heather Ale clone" - my SWMBO's favorite beers ever. I'm not set up for AG- yet so part grain /part extract would be lovely.

Thanks for the help guys !

Jens

 

[Oakwoodforge]

After some suggestions and research here is what I came up with for a recipe, how's it sound ?


Heather Ale

1/8lbs. Simpson's Chocolate
1/4 lbs. Crisp Amber Malt
1/4 lbs. Crisp Brown Malt
2 oz flaked oats
2 oz Simpsons Peated Malt

3.15 lbs. Amber LME
1 lbs. Amber DME

1 oz Fuggle pellets 1/2 at 60 min 1/2 at flame out
1 oz crystal pellets 1/2 at 60 min 1/2 at flame out
2 oz heather tips 10-1 min ?
2 oz sweet gale 10-1 min ?

Wyeast #1275 Thames Valley Ale Yeast

Jens

 

[niquejim]

Can't say I've ever had it but as it's a Scottish ale you might want to use a Scottush yeast. As for when to add it read this site
http://www.ratebeer.com/Beer/heather-ales-fraoch/1083/