Please Critique this Recipe

[kfgolfer]

Hey Guys. I'm trying to come up with my own recipe and I threw this together... Please let me know if you think it will work or feel free to make any suggestions...Do I have to much extract or too many hops?
or different hop suggestions?

Keith's "Honey-do list" Ale

6.5 lbs. light malt extract syrup
0.5 lb. crystal malt, 40° Lovibond (steep at 170 degrees for 20 minutes)
0.25 lb. Honey Malt
2.0 lbs. honey (1.0 lb added in last 15 minutes of boil)
0.5 oz. Northern Brewer Hops for 45 min
0.5 oz. Bullion hops (8.1% alpha acid), for 25 min.
1 oz. Cluster hops (7.4% alpha acid), for 15 min.
Whirlfloc last 10 min.
Wyeast 2112 (California)

 

[Torchiest]

Well, I plugged it into BeerSmith, and assumed you were going for a pale ale. This is what I came up with:

Estimated Original Gravity: 1.061 SG (1.045-1.060 SG)
Estimated Final Gravity: 1.016 SG (1.010-1.015 SG)
Estimated Color: 10.0 SRM (5.0-14.0 SRM)
Bitterness: 33.2 IBU (30.0-50.0 IBU) Alpha Acid Units: 3.1 AAU
Estimated Alcohol by Volume: 5.9 % (4.5-6.0 %)

That's a slightly high gravity ale, but I think it looks pretty good. You could cut the LME back to just 6lbs if you wanted, and maybe use a milder finishing hop. Overall, I think it would be fine.

 

[kfgolfer]

Thanks for the advice. Can you suggest a milder finishing hop? and is 1oz too much for finishing? I think I will cut back on the LME. I appreciate you putting it in beersmith

 

[Torchiest]

You could try something like this:

1.00 oz Northern Brewer [8.50%] (40 min) Hops 23.9 IBU
1.00 oz Cascade [5.50%] (15 min) Hops 8.7 IBU
Bitterness: 32.6 IBU (30.0-50.0 IBU)

I've never used Bullion or Cluster, but they're supposed to be relatively strong flavor-wise. Cascade is a good general purpose hop variety, I think. Of course, I would definitely get some second opinions, as I'm not exactly an expert yet, although I am working on a recipe for a honey blonde that is fairly similar to yours.

 

[kfgolfer]

Great! thanks for your help!