How much grain?

[kenpotf]

I'm trying to develop my own recipes and was looking at some others to get a good idea of what to use. One of the questions that I have is what determines how much grain you use? I've seen recipes that would yield 5.5 gallons and one would have 6 lbs of grain and the other would have 11 lbs. What are you looking for when you use more grain? Does that help with the body?

Thanks!

 

[JonK331]

10 lbs of base malt will give you a beer right around 1.050. Check out Designing Great Beers by Ray Daniels.

 

[Pappers_]

Generally, a larger grain bill will lead to a higher original gravity.

 

[kenpotf]

Ah ha! That's what would help get higher gravity? I guess that makes sense considering you're extracting sugars from the grain. More grain = more alcohol. I need to check out that book.

 

[JonM]

If you want to develop your own recipes, Beersmith is a terrific investment too. (only about $20)