One Kit down, now my recipe *Need advice*

[shanersnyder]

So Ive been doing homework for awhile and lurking for most of that. Picked up the brewers best kolsch kit and its fermenting as we speak. Being the nerd I am, I already want to try my own recipe but for now stick with an extract brew since it will be only my second batch. I wanted to try an Altbier, can you all look at the recipe below and tell me if it looks okay or if I missed something. Thanks peeps.

Boil 2.5 gallons

3.3 lbs LME Amber = 48 pts, 24 for 5 gal
2 lbs DME Amber = 32 pts, 16 for 5 gal
1 lb Caramunich Malt

1.5 oz Centennial (10%) [60 m] = 15 AAU
1.5 oz Cascade (5.5%) [10 m] = 8.25 AAU

3/4 c Corn Sugar
2 packets ale yeast white labs east coast ale yeast, liquid

Gravity of Boil = 1.080

OG for 5 gal = 1.040

Target IBU = 46 - 48

IBU = AAU x U x 75/ Volume

U for 1.080 (10m) = .064
U for 1.080 (60) = .176


IBU (60) = 15 x .176 x 75 / 5 = 39.6

IBU (10) = 8.25 x .064 x 75 / 5 = 7.92

IBU = 47.52


1. Steep Munich at 170 for 30 minutes in 2.5 gallons
2. Bring to boil, take off heat and add LME. Stir till dissolved
3. Add Centennial hops
4. Boil 40 minutes
5. Add DME
6. Boil 5 minutes
7. Add Cascade hops
8. Boil 10 minutes
9. Stop Boil.
10. Reduce temp to 70 degrees
11. Ferment

 

[frazier]

To me, it looks more like an American amber than an Altbier - because of the C-hops in there. But it looks good, I'm sure you will enjoy it!

 

[Yooper]

To me, it looks more like an American amber than an Altbier - because of the C-hops in there. But it looks good, I'm sure you will enjoy it!

That, and amber LME and DME also have crystal malt in there, so you're going to have quite a bit of sweetness.

To make an altbier, I'd recommend using LIGHT DME and LME and then the grains to give you the color, like 2 ounces of carafa III, along with the caramunich, for example. An alt will have German hops, and not the American citrusy hops.

I agree that with the caramunich (a crystal malt) plus all of the crystal in the amber LME and DME, and the American C hops, you're making an American amber and not an alt.

 

[TopherM]

Isn't real Altbier lagered?

 

[shanersnyder]

Ahhh! That makes sense to call it an American Amber not an Alt. I dont have enough knowledge in the hops yet. I think I will start with this test recipe and see how it goes. With all the sweetness, do you think the hops and hops schedule will balance it out or will it still be on the sweet side??

 

[frazier]

It won't be "sweet" sweet, it will probably be malty with an underlying sweetness. If you get your 45 IBUs, it will be a decent balance. Go for it!

 

[shanersnyder]

Thanks frazier, thats what Im hoping for. A good balance. I'll post the results after its done.