Noob in Over His Head Maybe?

[Unlysted]

Hi all, long time reader - first time poster here.

I've been using extract kits ever since diving into the home brew scene earlier this year, and am planning to do my first partial mash this weekend.

I'm shooting for a pumpkin ale (yes…another pumpkin thread) based off a mix of several recipes I've found online (including the popular Yuri Rage recipe found on this forum).

I'm trying to live by the RDWHAHB moniker, but feel a bit in over my head & would love to run my recipe past someone (anyone) with some experience to give me an idea of what to expect.

2# Rahr 6-Row
1# Vienna
1/2# Crystal 40L
1/2# Wheat
5-6# Sweet Pumpkins (quartered/roasted/peeled)

6.6# Amber LME (two cans - 60min)

1.5oz Hallertauer (60min)
3 Sticks Cinnamon (15min)
2 Whole Cloves (15min)
1 Star Anise (15min)
1/2 tsp Irish Moss (10min)
1 pod Mace (5min)
1/2tsp Nutmeg (flash)
(add'l spices if necessary in secondary)

1 Smack Pack Wyeast 1056 American Ale

Pumpkin will be roasted for an hour the night before, then added to the partial mash for the entire 60 minutes.

I'm planning to just follow DeathBrewers Easy Partial Mash instructions (though I'm not sure how all the pumpkin **** is going to effect things)

Then I just plan to follow the usual 60 minute partial-boil extract kit instruction (boil 2.5-3 gallons of wort, add hops/spices, cold break, top off, aerate & pitch).
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I'm not even sure what my target gravities should be here since the grain bill is a hodge-podge of other recipes, and I'm not sure how much the pumpkin will add to it all. (the math behind all of this still escapes me...trying to learn!)

Am I overdoing it with 2 cans of LME? Or will I simply be creeping up to an imperial pumpkin ale?

I know this type of brew shouldn't be hopped much, but is the 1.5oz enough to balance out all the fermentables?

Does this recipe sound reasonable? Any necessary/recommended adjustments I should make?

Am I in over my head, or should I simply relax & enjoy?

This site has been a huge help to me up to this point, so I totally appreciate any knowledge yinz care to share!

many, many thanks -

 

[frazier]

First of all, welcome to HBT!

You should get down with one of the many recipators that are available - either free online, or for a nominal fee which is well worth it (there's a free trial period, so no risk). Check out the "Brewing Software" section for more details and options.

Just by eyeball (since I'm at work), your recipe will be in the upper sixties (1.065 or greater), even without the pumpkin. I have no idea what kind of contribution to expect from the vegetation, but it won't really matter - you're going for flavor at that point.

Partial mashes are a great way to ease into all-grain brewing. No hurry, no worry. The brew-in-a-bag method detailed by Deathbrewer works great. Enjoy!

 

[Unlysted]

thanks frazier - just downloaded a trial of beer alchemy & I'm already pretty impressed (by the way, you were pretty spot on - 1.065).

Not going to worry about the sugars from my pumpkins, I guess. Most other posts I've read have said the impact is minimal at best, anyway.

Still a bit concerned about a messy mash, but I'd rather try to strain most of the gunk out pre-boil, rather than do a late addition & worry about a huge amount of trub.

Regardless, pretty excited to give it a go.

Cheers!

 

[Dynachrome]

Has anyone just calced the output cost of LME Vs just using regular grain? I would think LME would possibly cost a bit more due to being cooked and canned.

Anyone have any thoughts?

I'd suggest just doing an all grain. It's pretty easy. What about cooking down your pumkin and kind of running the pumpkin jiuce over the top like a sparge - using the grain like a filter?

 

[djinn88]

Grains are WAY cheaper than LME, but it's worth the price temporarily while you might save up for those bigger pots and what not. At least that's my take on it as a partial grain brewer myself. I can't wait to go All Grain, but the extra equipment is a little too much at the moment.

Good luck on this pumpkin ale! It sounds like it will be a lot better than most commercial varieties. Let us know how it turns out.

 

[Unlysted]

yah definitely agreed. grains were much cheaper at the LHBS, but I don't have the equipment yet either to take on that kind of mash. payin' for convenience at this point.

hoping things don't turn into too big of a mess, but I guess experimenting is the name of the game.

 

[Steinhaus]

I would only use half a star anise, that stuff is super permeating.

 

[lumpher]

Has anyone just calced the output cost of LME Vs just using regular grain? I would think LME would possibly cost a bit more due to being cooked and canned.

Anyone have any thoughts?

I'd suggest just doing an all grain. It's pretty easy. What about cooking down your pumkin and kind of running the pumpkin jiuce over the top like a sparge - using the grain like a filter?

the cost is about 35 vs 15 for the lme vs grain, but if you don't have the capability, it's not relevant. and pumpkins will always leave a HUGE amount of trub, but at least it's organic and can be thrown over the back fence

 

[Unlysted]

thanks all for the few tips.

so does the malt vs hop vs spice ratio above seem balanced enough? I don't mind shooting for a higher abv %, but don't want the brew to be overwhelmed by alcohol. HBS not open on the weekend, so I'll need to get any alternate/extra ingredients tonight.

 

[JLem]

6 lbs of pumpkin will take up a huge amount of space - how big is your mini-mash tun? And how big a batch is this? Also, given that the amount of pumkin is double the amount of grain, you're in for a tough lauter.

 

[Unlysted]

cool - maybe it's wise to cut back to 4lbs pumpkin then just to have an even match?

I have two 5 gallon kettles that I'm planning to use while following DeathBrewer's easy partial mash instructions. Plan to do a 2.5 gallon partial boil, then top off to 5-gal even.

I'm hoping to build a mash tun before my next brew. kinda just dove head first into this one.