Questions on recipe conversion from extract to partial mash

[J2W2]

Hi,

I've always brewed extract, but I've tried partial mash on my last two beers and I really like it. I'm planning to brew one of my regular extract recipes next, so I ran it through BrewSmith to convert it to partial mash.

The big difference was adding 12.9 oz of 2 Row in place of a pound of DME, which makes sense. I've shown the recipe changes below, but I have some questions about the changes.

First of all, do these substitutions make sense? If I were to convert this recipe on my own, I would probably have left the specialty grains alone and added enough 2 Row to compensate for a pound of DME (pretty much like it did). Any thoughts either way?

Second, I'm wondering about the change removing the flaked wheat will have. Right now the beer has a nice head with some fairly good retention; I'm afraid removing the flaked wheat could impact that. I'm thinking about leaving the 2 oz in (or even increasing that to 3 oz) and either leaving the 2 row at 12.9 oz, or reducing it by the amount of flaked wheat I use. Any thoughts on that?

This is one of my few custom recipes, and my wife's favorite, so I really appreciate your input. Thanks for your help!

 

[dmtaylor]

How much extract was in the original recipe? 12.9 oz 2 Row is definitely not enough to replace a pound of extract, that's why I ask.

 

[Pappers_]

I would do what you suggested, swap out some of the DME for two row, using BeerSmith to make sure my OG numbers lined up. Leave the specialty grains as is, except that you are mashing them, not steeping them.

 

[kh54s10]

I have never used flaked wheat in any recipe, though I sometimes use flaked oats for head retention. (rarely)

I would not decrease the 2 row in place of the flaked wheat if you leave it in the recipe. IMO 2 oz. is not enough to make much of a difference either way.

The only change there, IMO, that is of any significance is the Carahell. Why BS makes the change is beyond me.

I would say you could just substitute the 2 row for the extract, or brew the changed recipe. I don't think the amount changes is really significant. (except for the Carahell??)

 

[J2W2]

How much extract was in the original recipe? 12.9 oz 2 Row is definitely not enough to replace a pound of extract, that's why I ask.

The original recipe uses 6.3 pounds of LME and a pound of DME. And you are correct, I'm not sure what I was thinking on removing the full pound, as that drops the estimated ABV from 5.5 to 5.1. If I use the original amounts of specialty grains and add 12.8 oz 2 Row, it looks like I can drop the DME to 5.5 oz to hit my ABV.

I think this is the recipe I'm going to go with; we'll see if there is any noticeable difference over my extract recipe.

Thanks for the help!

 

[dmtaylor]

You really don't need the flaked wheat in this recipe. It's not doing much for you. If you want to use any, then use at least 8 oz. Otherwise just skip it.

You should use 2 full pounds of 2 Row, not just 12 oz. Then you'll have yourself an even better partial mash, AND you'll get back up to the original gravity that you want without having to use any DME.

Your recipe looks tasty. Good luck.