Reading Recipes

[jmart84]

I'm using the following recipe for a pumpkin ale and need some help with interpretation. I understand hop additions when reading recipes such as when to add them, but I don't quite understand the grain bill.

1lb Caramel/Crystal Malt - 60L (60 SRM)
8 oz. Victory Malt (25 SRM)
7lb Light Dry Extract (8 SRM) (1/2 at start of boil, 1/2 at flame out)
1oz. Hallertauer Hops (4.8%) (60 min)
1.5 Tbs Pumpkin pie spice (5 min)
1 oz. Hallertauer Hops (4.8%) (5 min)

Are the crystal and victory malts meant to be steeped in a muslin bag prior to starting boil, and then adding half DME upon initiation and completion of boil?
I just want to be sure I understand the recipe.

On a side note, if i use real pumpkin in this recipe, when would I add it and would it be used in addition to or in place of pumpkin pie spice?

Thanks!!

 

[m00ps]

thats a partial mash recipe. You steep the caramel and victory. Add the DME according to directions in the boil

I use pumpkin in the mash, which you dont really have in this case. You could try steeping it with teh grains but youd likely not get as much character

 

[mrgrimm101]

I've done an extract pumpkin porter before and steeped the pumpkin. Beforehand, I put all the pumpkin out on a baking pan and baked it for awhile (can't remember how long), then I gathered it in a muslin bag and steeped it with the grains. It worked out pretty well. DO NOT use pumpkin in place of pie spice. You should either use both, or just the spice. The spices are what gives it the pumpkin pie flavors..otherwise you just have a bland vegetal taste without the nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger, allspice, clove, etc.

 

[Yooper]

thats a partial mash recipe. You steep the caramel and victory. Add the DME according to directions in the boil

I use pumpkin in the mash, which you dont really have in this case. You could try steeping it with teh grains but youd likely not get as much character

Technically, it's an extract recipe with steeping grains (no base malt to mash).

but true, steep the caramel malt and victory malt in 3-4 quarts of water at 150-160 for 20 minutes or so, and remove. You can pour 170 degree water over the grainbag above the pot, up to your boil volume. Then, bring that to a boil. Add the first addition of extract and then set your timer and begin with the hops additions. Add the last of the extract at flame out.

Pumpkin is hard to work with, but you can add some to the boil if you want. It makes sludge in the end, but it'll all settle out to the bottom.