My first recipes - Need advice

[Newbeerguy]

I am getting ready to go ahead and make my own recipe...I was just looking for some input on what everyone thinks.

Here is the first one: (Based it off Yooper's Oktoberfest)

Oktoberfest
Type: All Grain
Date: 10/2/2009
Batch Size: 5.00 gal
Brewer: Anthony
Boil Size: 6.00 gal Asst Brewer:
Boil Time: 60 min Equipment: Brew Pot (8gal) and Rubbermaid Cooler (5 Gal)
Taste Rating(out of 50): 35.0 Brewhouse Efficiency: 75.00
Taste Notes:

Ingredients

Amount Item Type % or IBU
7.00 lb Vienna Malt (3.5 SRM) Grain 70.00 %
2.00 lb Munich Malt (9.0 SRM) Grain 20.00 %
0.50 lb Caramel/Crystal Malt - 80L (80.0 SRM) Grain 5.00 %
0.50 lb Caramunich Malt (56.0 SRM) Grain 5.00 %
1.00 oz Tettnang [2.40 %] (60 min) Hops 8.2 IBU
1.00 oz Hallertauer [3.90 %] (45 min) Hops 12.3 IBU
1.00 tbsp PH 5.2 Stabilizer (Mash 60.0 min) Misc
1.00 items Whirlfloc Tablet (Boil 12.0 min) Misc
1.00 items Yeast Nutrient (Boil 10.0 min) Misc
1 Pkgs Octoberfest/Marzen Lager (White Labs #WLP820) [Starter 2000 ml] Yeast-Lager



As for the Mash I was going to do Singe Infusion (Mash temp 156 for 60 mins) then Batch Sparge

My other recipe:

Pale Ale
Type: All Grain
Date: 10/2/2009
Batch Size: 5.00 gal
Brewer: Anthony
Boil Size: 6.00 gal Asst Brewer:
Boil Time: 60 min Equipment: Brew Pot (8+gal) and Igloo/Gott Cooler (5 Gal)
Taste Rating(out of 50): 35.0 Brewhouse Efficiency: 75.00
Taste Notes:

Ingredients

Amount Item Type % or IBU
9.00 lb Pale Malt, Maris Otter (3.0 SRM) Grain 90.00 %
1.00 lb Caramel/Crystal Malt - 10L (10.0 SRM) Grain 10.00 %
1.00 oz Pearle [8.00 %] (60 min) Hops 27.7 IBU
1.00 oz Mt. Hood [6.00 %] (30 min) Hops 16.0 IBU
0.50 oz Cascade [5.50 %] (10 min) (Aroma Hop-Steep)
0.50 oz Cascade [5.50 %] (Dry Hop 14 days) Hops -
1 Pkgs US-05 Yeast-Ale

Mash will be Single Infusion (Mash at 150 for 60 mins) then Batch Sparge.

What do you guys think???? Any and all suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[FishinDave07]

They both look really good. I wouldn't change a thing!

 

[ajf]

The pale ale looks great to me. I won't comment on the Oktoberfest because I have never brewed or drunk one.

-a.

 

[Newbeerguy]

Hey thanks for the replies! Glad to see it looks like I made some good choices. I will update this and let you know how it turns out.


Edit....I might have a few extra bucks to build a SMaSH recipe as well....any suggestions?

 

[Newbeerguy]

I'd like to bump this up and get a few more inputs before I order this on Wed....thanks guys

 

[Bob]

The only thing I'd advise is lowering the mash temperature on the Festbier. If you were using Pale or Pils malt as the main malt in the grist, that might work out (more dextrinous), but with Vienna you can mash low and slow. 152-154 should work better.

Bob

 

[MattHollingsworth]

Pale Ale looks good to me. Dunno Oktoberfest so well so can't comment.

 

[kanzimonson]

Yeah I'd prefer to cut back the vienna and sub in some two-row and/or pils.

A lot of people try to make their oktoberfest recipes with:

50% two-row, pils blend
40% vienna, munich blend
10% various caramel malts

I think your IBUs also might be a little high. I'd cut them back by 5, just because I like a malty Oktoberfest. Especially since you'll have a more bitter pale ale to contrast it with!

 

[Newbeerguy]

Yeah I'd prefer to cut back the vienna and sub in some two-row and/or pils.

A lot of people try to make their oktoberfest recipes with:

50% two-row, pils blend
40% vienna, munich blend
10% various caramel malts

I think your IBUs also might be a little high. I'd cut them back by 5, just because I like a malty Oktoberfest. Especially since you'll have a more bitter pale ale to contrast it with!

I think you are correct...I edited my recipe. Thanks for the suggestions

 

[Newbeerguy]

Just giving an update on the Pale Ale. It came our really nice. It finishes sweet, prehaps a tad too sweet for my tastes, but the Cascade hops really shine through. Great hop aroma and you can really get the flavor the Cascades. It's not too bitter at all. In fact the only thing I think I might change is drop the Crystal10 and maybe go with .5lbs Crystal40 and up the MO to 9.5#.

I'll give an update on the Oktoberfest when its ready. It is still lagering at the moment.

Thanks for all the input everyone!

 

[ecushey]

I am brewing for the first time and am trying an Oktoberfest kit my family got me. It just started fermenting today (brewed it late Saturday night) Should I put it in the cold to finish fermenting, or once the fermenting is complete should I lager.
Thanks for any help

 

[Yooper]

I am brewing for the first time and am trying an Oktoberfest kit my family got me. It just started fermenting today (brewed it late Saturday night) Should I put it in the cold to finish fermenting, or once the fermenting is complete should I lager.
Thanks for any help

What yeast did you use?

 

[ecushey]

White labs. It actually took off by the time I got home from work Monday. I am waiting til later this week to move to a secondary fermenter. Thanks for offering!