Increasing fermentables question

[Cammykinnis]

I have 7 lbs of LME as well as another of crystal. I'm trying for an amber ale with 5 gallons. Should I be looking at adding some more fermentables? I was hoping to get at least 5% abv. in this batch. It just seems a little low to me.

 

[Rick500]

That'll work out to just about 5%, more or less.

That's sounds like quite a lot of crystal malt for a 5 gallon batch, btw...depending on what style you're trying to brew.

 

[Cammykinnis]

Okay that is great. How much crystal do you think I should use?

 

[Rick500]

Are you aiming for a particular style?

 

[Clonefarmer]

Okay that is great. How much crystal do you think I should use?

For an Amber .5-1 pound of crystal.

 

[Cammykinnis]

Not particulary. This is my first go so just doing what my LHBS recommended.

 

[Clonefarmer]

Not particulary. This is my first go so just doing what my LHBS recommended.

Take a look at the recipes in the recipe section to get an idea what grain amounts to use.

 

[Cammykinnis]

Sure thing. Thanks

 

[Rick500]

What do you have for hops?

Which crystal malt is it? 40?

 

[Cammykinnis]

60 with Cascade pellets 3 oz
1.5 at 60
1 at 30
.5 at 5

 

[Cammykinnis]

Don't know if the hop times are what you were looking for haha

 

[Rick500]

That'll make a decent American pale ale. You could leave it as-is.

I would probably cut down to half a pound of crystal 60. (In fact, I'd probably use crystal 40 or so instead of 60...but it'll be fine.) That'd also take it down to about 4.9% abv though; don't know how important that is to you.

If you wanted more hops aroma as opposed to bitterness, you could also move a half ounce of your 60 minute hops to the end of the boil.

 

[Cammykinnis]

Okay, that is fantastic. Thank you very much.