Experimental Heather Ale

[marcopolo]

Hello All,
I'm planning on brewing an ale with Heather Tips tomorrow & I'd like to share my recipe with you for analysis. Here it is :
GRAIN BILL: HOPS:
Maris Otter (83%) Hallertau/Noble 0.75oz (60m)
Carapils/Dextrine (6%) Goldings 0.5oz (5 m)
British Roasted Barley (2.25%)
British Chocolate (2.25%) Boil Time = 90 min
Crystal-20 (2%)
Crystal-40 (2%) MISC :
Special B (2%) Honey 2Lbs @ Flameout
Peat/Smoked Malt (1%) Heather Tips 2oz @ Flameout
Heather Tips 2oz after primary
YEAST:
Wyeast 1728 (Scottish Ale) & making a starter

objective is to produce a complex, slightly smokey, roasty, ale with hints of coffee/chocolate for the winter. Main goal is to make a beer that my wife will enjoy. Brewing beers for the wife has really helped me justify the time & money invested in homebrewing.

Thanks in advance for your help !
marco

 

[MakeshiftBrew]

Complex indeed, you've got a lot of specialty malts in there. I would really focus on blending the hop aromas/flavors with the heather. With such an extensive bill I feel like the heather might get lost in the beer, over all it seems it might be too busy, but with that comes great potential to make one fine, unique beer. Good luck.

P.s. Are you adding honey or honey malt, if it's the latter I would step down the addition a bit.