Imperial Amber recipe feedback please

[BrewFox]

After trying out Clown Shoes Eagle Claw Fist Imperial Amber I've decided that I'd like to make a beer of that style. Further I thought it would be fun to have a go at creating my own recipe, taking into account the info they provide about Eagle Claw Fist. Here is what I've come up with (all numbers from BeerSmith):

Imperial Amber
All grain
OG: 1.077
FG: 1.016
ABV: 8.09%
IBUs: 50.1
Color 16.4 SRM

Efficiency 60%

Malt:
17 lbs 13 oz (90.2%) UK 2-row 3.0 SRM
1 lb 14 oz (9.5%) Crystal 60
1 oz (0.3%) Black Patent

Hops:
.5 oz Centennial - 60 min (14.2 IBUs)
1 oz Centennial - 10 Min (10.3 IBUs)
1 oz Citra - 10 min (12.3 IBUs)
1 oz Simcoe - 10 min (13.4 IBUs)

Yeast
US-05

Mash at 152° for 60 min, batch sparge

This isn't meant to be a clone, just inspired by Eagle Claw fist. That being said, does this look reasonable for an Imperial Amber. Anything obvious I should change? In Particular, is that amount of Black Patent going to be too much? I know it is pretty powerful.

Also, I wasn't sure about the IBUs, I like hops, but this isn't supposed to be an IPA. I'm considering eliminating the 60 minute addition.

Also considering subbing Marris Otter for the UK 2 row.

I appreciate any feedback or suggestions. From there I guess I'll just have to brew it and see how it comes out.

 

[ardonthorn5]

initial thoughts: that's a lot of crystal malt. a half oz. of centennial at 60 doesn't seem like it would add much bitterness.

 

[joncapozzi]

I did an Imperial Amber that was inspired by Third Party Candidate (Eagle Claw Fist and Three Heads Loopy split 50/50), but was actually very close in flavor to Great Lakes Nosferatu. I used some biscuit, which added a nice complexity to the beer.

OG of 1.075
13.5# 2-Row
1# Crystal 90
.5# Biscuit

I bittered with Centennial and used Simcoe, Cascade and Amarillo for flavor and aroma. I got up to 75 or 80 IBU. I don't have my brew notebook at the moment so I don't remember what the schedule was, but the beer turned out fantastic. I will be be brewing it again this winter.

 

[BrewFox]

I like the idea of the two row and the biscuit combo. Thanks for that! I might go with that grain bill and adjust my hop additions for more IBU's, might just go to all late additions.