First AG batch

[madchemist83]

Hi here is my first AG recipe. Do you guys havw any thoughts or suggestions about mash temps?
Charlie Brown Ale

Batch size: 5.0 gal
Boil volume: 6.0 gal
OG: 1.053
FG: 1.013
Bitterness (IBU): 25.7
Color (SRM): 16.5
ABV: 5.2%

[Grains]
Maris Otter Malt 5.000lb Grain 48.8%
Crystal 50-60L (British) 2.000lb Grain 19.5%
Golden Promise Malt 2.000lb Grain 19.5%
Biscuit (Belgian) 1.250lb Grain 12.2%

[Hops]
Fuggles 1.50oz 4.2% AA Pellet @ 60 min, 23.0 IBU
Fuggles 0.50oz 4.2% AA Pellet @ 10 min, 2.8 IBU
Kent Golding 1.00oz 5.1% AA Pellet @ Dry Hop

[Yeast/Other]
Thames Valley II 1.0 unit(s), Yeast Private collection Jan - Mar 2012

 

[WhiteDog87]

153F - 155F works well for me. i like to crank it up to 158F to add a little residual sweetness to balance out my more bitter beers, or you can bring it down to 148F to 150F for a drier finish. 153F-155F is a good compromise though. i also like to collect a little more than six gallons for my pre boil volume, i usually go for 6.5 or 7 to make sure i get 5 gallons in my fermenter.

good luck with your first ag batch!

 

[madchemist83]

Thanks. Otherwise does the recipe looks good ?

 

[ajf]

That's an awful lot of crystal. I use about 8 oz for a typical 5g EPA, for a brown ale I wouldn't go over 12 oz.
That's a lot of biscuit as well. I don't think you would need any if you are using British Pale Malts, certainly no more than 8 oz.
I would suggest using a small amount of chocolate malt to get the color.
The British base malts like to be mashed at fairly low temperatures (148 - 150). At this temperature, I always let them mash for 90 minutes just to be safe.

-a.

 

[SouthBay]

I agree with ajf.

drop crystal down (i usually cap it at 1lb max instead of 8oz), and lower the biscuit a bit. I also second throwing in a couple oz of chocolate for color.

I personally haven't noticed a significant difference between MO and GP base malts, either.

 

[madchemist83]

Thanks. How bout this
Charlie Brown Ale

Batch size: 5.0 gal
Boil volume: 6.0 gal
OG: 1.050
FG: 1.013
Bitterness (IBU): 28.1
Color (SRM): 21.3
ABV: 5.0%

[Grains]
Maris Otter Malt 5.000lb Grain 51.3%
Golden Promise Malt 2.000lb Grain 20.5%
Crystal 50-60L (British) 1.000lb Grain 10.3%
Biscuit (Belgian) 0.500lb Grain 5.1%
Carastan (British) 0.500lb Grain 5.1%
Victory Malt 0.500lb Grain 5.1%
Chocolate Malt (British) 0.250lb Grain 2.6%

[Hops]
Fuggles 1.50oz 4.2% AA Pellet @ 60 min, 23.4 IBU
Fuggles 0.50oz 4.2% AA Pellet @ 20 min, 4.7 IBU
Kent Golding 1.00oz 6.1% AA Pellet @ 0 min, 0.0 IBU

[Yeast/Other]
Thames Valley II 1.0 unit(s), Yeast Private collection Jan - Mar 2012

 

[SouthBay]

[Grains]
Maris Otter Malt 5.000lb Grain 51.3%
Golden Promise Malt 2.000lb Grain 20.5%
Crystal 50-60L (British) 1.000lb Grain 10.3%
Biscuit (Belgian) 0.500lb Grain 5.1%
Carastan (British) 0.500lb Grain 5.1%
Victory Malt 0.500lb Grain 5.1%
Chocolate Malt (British) 0.250lb Grain 2.6%

I still think thats a bit much Crystal.

Try This:

Maris Otter Malt 5lb
Golden Promise Malt 2.5lb
Crystal 50-60L (British) 1lb
Biscuit (Belgian) .75lb
Chocolate Malt (British) 6oz

OG 1.051 and SRM 20

I'd even go so far as to say 7.5# MO > 5# MO + 2.5# GP

 

[Yooper]

Thanks. How bout this
Charlie Brown Ale

Batch size: 5.0 gal
Boil volume: 6.0 gal
OG: 1.050
FG: 1.013
Bitterness (IBU): 28.1
Color (SRM): 21.3
ABV: 5.0%

[Grains]
Maris Otter Malt 5.000lb Grain 51.3%
Golden Promise Malt 2.000lb Grain 20.5%
Crystal 50-60L (British) 1.000lb Grain 10.3%
Biscuit (Belgian) 0.500lb Grain 5.1%
Carastan (British) 0.500lb Grain 5.1%
Victory Malt 0.500lb Grain 5.1%
Chocolate Malt (British) 0.250lb Grain 2.6%

[Hops]
Fuggles 1.50oz 4.2% AA Pellet @ 60 min, 23.4 IBU
Fuggles 0.50oz 4.2% AA Pellet @ 20 min, 4.7 IBU
Kent Golding 1.00oz 6.1% AA Pellet @ 0 min, 0.0 IBU

[Yeast/Other]
Thames Valley II 1.0 unit(s), Yeast Private collection Jan - Mar 2012

Carastan= crystal malt also. (Cara- anything means caramel malt, which is the same as crystal malt). So, it's still too much crystal malt.

I like victory malt, but choose either victory OR biscuit malt, not both. They are very similar.

 

[madchemist83]

Thanks for all ya help. I know that carastan is crystal malt just wanted to add depth. Thanks for advice on Victory. So the total percentage of crystal malt should be under 10 ?

 

[SouthBay]

Sometimes its easiest to think of malts as having to fit under a maximum percentage, and other times, its easiest to think about them as having to fit under a particular weight.

Most people you'll find on here will suggest limiting caramel/crystal malts to one pound. Some styles may warrant more, but thats the general feeling i see.

 

[madchemist83]

Yooper do you think I should completely drop victory? I only have grain I listed originality.

 

[madchemist83]

Anyways .. I decided to stay with Crystal ~ 1.5 lb and add 4oz of Chocolate malt. Also I'll go ahead and use hops like I intended ..adding flavor, aroma and dry hopping.