Changing an APA kit

[BsSmith]

Hey guys,

I've recently received two Brewer's Best APA Extract Kits as a gift. I plan to brew one of them following the recipe, but I would really like for the other to be different.

My favorite beers are big Belgian beers, so my initial idea is to change the other kit into a dark strong ale. I would do this by keeping the extract and hops from the kit, but adding 2 lbs Caraamber and 3 extra lbs Caramel 20L for a partial mash. I would also add 2 lbs of a local honey and change the yeast to White Labs WLP500.

In BeerSmith, this places everything close to the middle for what a Dark Strong Ale should be, but I don't have enough brewing experience to know if this would actually be a good beer. I'm interested to see what your opinions would be. I'm completely open to suggestions, and I'm not set on the Dark Strong Ale.

View attachment 1013 2013 American Pale Ale-1.pdf

 

[DromJohn]

Looks drinkable.

 

[cyanmonkey]

Throw in a lb of D-180.

 

[hopbrad]

add in another lb or so of light DME/LME or 2 lbs of base malt - 2-row or pilsner. in order to do the base malt, you need to do a partial mash. search for instructions.
also add in a lb of dark candi syrup to the boil and possibly .25-.5lb of special B or a dark roasted malt.
dont add in more crystal/cara, your suggesting 6 lbs of crystal/cara malt. 5lbs that you are adding to the 1lb already in the kit.

 

[GuldTuborg]

If you're looking to make a dark strong or dubbel out of this, you're going to want candi syrup, not mass quantities of crystal malt. Crystal malt is used sparingly, if at all, in most Trappist recipes.

The FG of this recipe is already expected to be 1.012+. If you add 5 more lbs of crystal malt, I can't imagine how high you'll finish. I don't think this is the right approach, if what you're trying to do is match commercial examples in style.

 

[cyanmonkey]

You also won't get conversion just mashing crystal. Need to throw in some 2 or 6 row for diastatic power.

 

[GuldTuborg]

You also won't get conversion just mashing crystal. Need to throw in some 2 or 6 row for diastatic power.

Right. Crystal can't be mashed, but it can be steeped, with different results. 5lbs of medium to dark crystal will add moderately, to FG, 5lbs of steeped crystal will add a mountain to the FG.

 

[cyanmonkey]

Right. Crystal can't be mashed, but it can be steeped, with different results. 5lbs of medium to dark crystal will add moderately, to FG, 5lbs of steeped crystal will add a mountain to the FG.

It can be both mashed OR steeped, but it won't convert to fermentable sugars by itself. It shouldn't affect FG much either since unconverted grains will not be measured by a hydrometer.

 

[GuldTuborg]

It can be both mashed OR steeped, but it won't convert to fermentable sugars by itself. It shouldn't affect FG much either since unconverted grains will not be measured by a hydrometer.

Crystal by itself cannot, is what I meant. OP is talking adding only crystal malt to an existing extract based recipe.

Of course you are correct in general, but a mini mash isn't the topic at hand.

And why do you not think it will add to the FG? How little do you expect 5lbs to add to the mix? Anything suspended or in solution will be represented in a gravity reading.

 

[cyanmonkey]

Crystal by itself cannot, is what I meant. OP is talking adding only crystal malt to an existing extract based recipe.

Of course you are correct in general, but a mini mash isn't the topic at hand.

And why do you not think it will add to the FG? How little do you expect 5lbs to add to the mix? Anything suspended or in solution will be represented in a gravity reading.

My point is nothing dramatic. The OG and FG are controlled primarily by extract.

Cheers.

 

[cyanmonkey]

Actually upon doing research I can't find definitive proof either way that unconverted starch won't be represented in Gravity readings, so maybe you're right.

We're both in agreement that 5lbs crystal isn't the way to go.

 

[GuldTuborg]

Actually upon doing research I can't find definitive proof either way that unconverted starch won't be represented in Gravity readings, so maybe you're right.

It definitely will. Anything dissolved or suspended in a liquid will, from starches, sugars, proteins, salts added for water profiles, anything at all. I don't mean to harp on this, but it is kind of important to know how these instruments work if you're using them.

We're both in agreement that 5lbs crystal isn't the way to go.

Absolutely. At least, not if a BDSA is your target.

 

[BsSmith]

Thank you, I should have realized that about the Crystal. I've changed the grains around, and here is what I have now:

 

[GuldTuborg]

Looks quite good. I'd only suggest one change. Go for darker Candi sugar. Either the 80-90L stuff or the 180L stuff, or a mix. The amber isn't exactly right for a BDSA. Of course, if you want something lighter in color and flavor, then it's the right choice.