Porter Recipe Critique

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I used to do partial mashes using a bag in my 5 gallon kettle. You are pretty close to the limit of what I felt comfortable handling, so I understand doing the extract.

A quarter pound of the chocolate malt is probably fine, but you could do a little more if you want to - maybe up to 8 or 10 ounces.

 

[KarmaCitra]

5 gallon batch. I haven't seen that, I'll have to take a look!

 

[KarmaCitra]

I used to do partial mashes using a bag in my 5 gallon kettle. You are pretty close to the limit of what I felt comfortable handling, so I understand doing the extract.

A quarter pound of the chocolate malt is probably fine, but you could do a little more if you want to - maybe up to 8 or 10 ounces.

I might up it. I just really enjoy chocolate malts. I actually used some in a dark saison that's fermenting as we speak. It might taste awful, but experimentation was the idea with that brew.

 

[Komodo]

One small tip: If you post recipes in malt percentages, it's much easier for people to comment as you can directly compare a 2g batch with a 20g batch. Here is the robust porter malt bill that I labored over that may give you ideas.

65.38 % Maris Otter
11.54 % Victory Malt
9.62 % Brown Malt
5.77 % Caramel/Crystal Malt - 80L
3.85 % Chocolate Malt
3.85 % Barley, Flaked

Edit: the percentages look like I am anal down to the hundreths. These are simply the pounds, converted to percentages. In pounds for an 11g batch they are: 17, 3, 2.5, 1.5, 1, 1

 

[rhys333]

One small tip: If you post recipes in malt percentages, it's much easier for people to comment as you can directly compare a 2g batch with a 20g batch.

It also helps a brewer better understand how the various malts balance and play together as part of the whole. For example, someone brews a pale ale with 7% C40 and it was good but a tad too sweet. Next time it'll be perfect with just 4% and that extra 3% is moved over to base malt or perhaps another character malt they have in the grain bill.

 

[KarmaCitra]

Noted! Sorry, still a little new to all of this.

 

[Komodo]

I wouldn't apologize at all. We are all learning all the time.

 

[KarmaCitra]

Wanted to give an update post-bottling. Taste isnt as pecan-forward as I wanted, and I think the pecans, even though I roasted them several times, contributed to pretty much no head-retention. Pretty good roast flavors going on, smooth mouthfeel, hints of vanilla. I'll make this again. But probably will look into ways to contribute to more of a head.

 

[KarmaCitra]

Here's a picture, showing the lack of head. No big deal, just figured a visual would help!

View attachment 1447539590025.jpg

 

[rhys333]

Here's a picture, showing the lack of head. No big deal, just figured a visual would help!

Looks darn good. If you want head retention add 15% wheat. Works great for me and I love the extra character it adds to porter (and other styles).

Also, perhaps oils in the pecans are killing head retention. Just a thought.

 

[KarmaCitra]

Thanks! Yeah, I was afraid the oils were going to affect retention, but it appears even though I roasted them 4 times and patted out as much oil as I could get, it still affected it. Wheat is a good suggestion, I'll have to try that next time!