Help me alter my recipe

[petep1980]

I made an AAA recently, a 2.5 gallon pilot AG batch. I just tasted it, and the tasting notes will be included at the end.

3# 2-row
1# 40L
.25# 20L

1/2 cascade @ 60
1/2 cascade @ 20

Windsor yeast. Mash in 154F.

Notes:
Great color, nice amber with a fluffy off-white head. Incredible head retention. Too cloudy.
Aroma: Little weak, I didn't dry hop, and I love that "floral" aroma.
Taste: Still a little light on the hops, I always get a grapefruit taste from cascades which I'd like to get rid of. Slightly bready flavor. Body was great, maybe just a little too sweet.

Basically I want it a little drier, without the grapefruit hop flavor, and a nice floral hop aroma.

 

[dirty_martini]

I would cut back on the crystal. That might be a good amount for a 5 gal batch, but scale it up and you would be using 2.5lbs of crystal. Way too much. Thus the too sweet comment. If you really want that amber color, you can always add 1or2 oz (5gal) of roasted malt, carafa, or chocolate malt. It lends the color without adding any roasty flavors.

As for hops, I find centennial way more floral than cascades, though you may still get some grapefruit. If you want a cascade like character with less grapefruit, you may want to give ahtanum a try. I find them very similar with a subtle orange note as opposed to grapefruit.

 

[Double_D]

I can't figure out what an AAA is? American a Ale?

 

[dirty_martini]

I can't figure out what an AAA is? American a Ale?

I guessed american amber ale

 

[petep1980]

I guessed american amber ale

You are correct.

Thanks for the suggestions, that Ahtanum hop or whatever looks like a good fit.

 

[Double_D]

ahh...duh. Forgot about ambers.

 

[beergolf]

I do an amber ale with a combination of Cascade and Fuggles that is quite tasty. The Fuggles soften the Cascades.