Dark Mild Reaper's Mild, 1st place 2011 HBT Competition

[FlyDoctor]

I get that, I'm just wondering if this 15 minute addition will actually do anything with this small of a beer and with that small amount of hops with such low alpha acids.

I have heard that the aroma/flavor has less to do with the aa co tent and more related to oils and several other compounds - leading some to recommend that you don't correct late additions for alpha. I'd be surprised if you couldnt notice the difference in a side by side with and without the 15 min addition.

 

[Dr. Francois]

Thanks very much for posting, and thanks for the extra info about 2-row+victory vs marris otter, that is very helpful.

To OP:

In your experience brewing this recipe, is there a difference between the MO and 2-Row/Victory versions? All things being equal, the 2-Row version will be cheaper. If there is a quality difference, I'd rather spring for the MO.

Thanks!

 

[azscoob]

To OP:

In your experience brewing this recipe, is there a difference between the MO and 2-Row/Victory versions? All things being equal, the 2-Row version will be cheaper. If there is a quality difference, I'd rather spring for the MO.

Thanks!

While the MO is quite awesome and won me the gold, I honestly prefer home toasting some 2-row to make my own victory, and adding that with 2-row for this recipe.

The flavors are fresh and malty, almost nutty.

I think I listed my process for home toasting is in the first few posts of this thread, give it a try, your house will smell fantastic while toasting the malt....malty, peanut buttery... Amazing. You won't be disappointed, and if you are like me you will start subbing home toasted and 2-row for all your recipes calling for MO.

 

[royal1911]

I just bottled my batch. I brewed on 12/24 and bottled today (1/12). I was a little surprised to see the final gravity at 1.024. My og was 1.049. I fermented in my closet ( no temp control) which ranged from 60-70 degrees. Could this have made the difference in the attenuation?


The beer tasted good straight out of the fermenter. I can't wait to see how it turns out when carbonated. I used 8 oz of chocolate malt and 1oz willamette and 1oz EKG.

 

[Dr. Francois]

While the MO is quite awesome and won me the gold, I honestly prefer home toasting some 2-row to make my own victory, and adding that with 2-row for this recipe.

The flavors are fresh and malty, almost nutty.

I think I listed my process for home toasting is in the first few posts of this thread, give it a try, your house will smell fantastic while toasting the malt....malty, peanut buttery... Amazing. You won't be disappointed, and if you are like me you will start subbing home toasted and 2-row for all your recipes calling for MO.

I think you convinced me to try toasting.

Let me verify: you take 1lb of the total base malt (2-row) and toast it, then (after a week) add it back into the rest of the (2-row) grist for crushing.

Sound right?

 

[Haputanlas]

I think you convinced me to try toasting.

Let me verify: you take 1lb of the total base malt (2-row) and toast it, then (after a week) add it back into the rest of the (2-row) grist for crushing.

Sound right?

I really have to try this.

 

[azscoob]

I think you convinced me to try toasting.

Let me verify: you take 1lb of the total base malt (2-row) and toast it, then (after a week) add it back into the rest of the (2-row) grist for crushing.

Sound right?

Correct.

 

[azscoob]

I really have to try this.

Do it!

 

[saxowam]

Started this brew today. Second all-grain attempt. Thanks for the recipe can't wait to try it out

 

[Haputanlas]

Do it!

About to keg this. I have another 50ish lb of Maris Otter I have to go through before I'll likely do this.

Anyways, I know that I'm going to be making an English Mild one of my regulars. Hope this turns out as good as I'm looking for.

 

[Haputanlas]

I just kegged this and put a little sample into a bottle with the carbonator. And wow! This is the one of the best milds I've ever had. In addition, this brew came out to around 2.75% ABV! I am so damn impressed by this beer. Great job on the recipe!

OG 1.034
FG 1.013

ABV 2.75%

 

[salvar]

Just want to say this is a great recipe and was my first all grain. I've done 3 batches now and this will remain a staple in my brew lineup.

 

[azscoob]

Just want to say this is a great recipe and was my first all grain. I've done 3 batches now and this will remain a staple in my brew lineup.

Glad you like it! My first all grain recipe is still on my regular brew schedule, it's been years since I first brewed it, I have tweaked it a little but nothing major.

That's what makes this hobby so much fun, finding a great beer and fine tuning it to your preferences.

 

[gcdowd]

I'm gonna brew this up soon, and pardon me as I have not read the whole thread, but has anyone tried this with golden promise in lieu of maris otter? I have some golden promise on hand, no MO. Thoughts?

Also, how about subbing EKGs for the Fuggles?

 

[Haputanlas]

I'm gonna brew this up soon, and pardon me as I have not read the whole thread, but has anyone tried this with golden promise in lieu of maris otter? I have some golden promise on hand, no MO. Thoughts?

Also, how about subbing EKGs for the Fuggles?

EKG is what I used. Worked out great. Also, many others on this thread used EKG with good results.

Golden Promise is a little bit lighter and less malty than the MO. It should be OK and I'd suggest you go for it, but it's possible that it might make the beer a tad thin for some's tastes.

You could always toast some of the grain (as the OP mentioned). Sounds tasty to me!

 

[gcdowd]

EKG is what I used. Worked out great. Also, many others on this thread used EKG with good results.

Golden Promise is a little bit lighter and less malty than the MO. It should be OK and I'd suggest you go for it, but it's possible that it might make the beer a tad thin for some's tastes.

You could always toast some of the grain (as the OP mentioned). Sounds tasty to me!

Thanks for the response. I have always heard that Golden Promise is basically a "superior Maris Otter". I thought that implied maltier, is that not the case?

 

[Haputanlas]

Thanks for the response. I have always heard that Golden Promise is basically a "superior Maris Otter". I thought that implied maltier, is that not the case?

Maybe, just note that I've never used it before.

I looked at this link:

http://www.northernbrewer.com/shop/...-malts/base-malts/british-golden-promise.html

Which shows golden promise to be 2L, Whereas the Marris Otter I've used is 3.5-4.5 L.

This to me just implies a maltier/nuttier character in the marris otter.

I think others who've actually used it vs. Marris Otter could give you better opinions. I'm just comparing what I read on paper.

 

[gcdowd]

Right makes sense. Thanks, I'm gonna try the golden promise

 

[saxowam]

I was looking forward to kegging this today but my batch has stalled at 1.020 with initial gravity of 1.039. Any suggestions to try as this is only my 4th batch of homebrew? Thanks.

 

[Sleepyemt]

I was looking forward to kegging this today but my batch has stalled at 1.020 with initial gravity of 1.039. Any suggestions to try as this is only my 4th batch of homebrew? Thanks.

Start by some gentle agitation, raise the temps maybe? Repitching would be next, lastly amylase enzyme.... But the AE would be a last resort...

 

[themcnabs]

This recipe appears to come out brown in color. I am looking for something like this but black in color. Any comments on adding an oz of carafa special or roast barley (ground in a coffee grinder) to add color?

 

[Haputanlas]

Yes, carafa special / de-bittered black will do the trick. Just out of curiosity, why?

 

[themcnabs]

Yes, carafa special / de-bittered black will do the trick. Just out of curiosity, why?

When I found this recipe I was looking to make a mild black ale. The style fits but I had in mind a black color. I am going to brew it as is the first time and I may darken it up in the future is I feel like it.

 

[Haputanlas]

When I found this recipe I was looking to make a mild black ale. The style fits but I had in mind a black color. I am going to brew it as is the first time and I may darken it up in the future is I feel like it.

Do you want more roasty character as well? Or just the darker tone?

 

[themcnabs]

Do you want more roasty character as well? Or just the darker tone?

I want a roasty character, that is why I mentioned roasted barley.

 

[Haputanlas]

Then, yes. Use roasted barley, black patent, or more chocolate. I'd use just a little bit more chocolate if it were me.

Carafa Special and De-bittered black will likely add mostly color with little contribution to flavor.

 

[Haputanlas]

I take that back. I looked up an old recipe I used in a beer that is probably what you're looking for. I used 1 lb roasted barley on top of a similar grain bill. It turned out fantastic. To be honest, I definitely want a re-brew on that batch!

 

[themcnabs]

I think I will toss in 6oz of roast barley.

 

[CBelli]

looks great! I'm going to brew this up next week...

the roasting sounds fun...
I have MO, Victory and 2-row....
what method would you suggest for the base grain?

1. MO
2. 2-Row and roasting
3. 2-row and victory

 

[Dr. Francois]

I take that back. I looked up an old recipe I used in a beer that is probably what you're looking for. I used 1 lb roasted barley on top of a similar grain bill. It turned out fantastic. To be honest, I definitely want a re-brew on that batch!

Just curious...you added a pound of black barley on top of the existing chocolate, or to replace?

Heck, would you mind just sharing the recipe? Sounds kinda close to an Irish stout plus crystal malt minus flaked adjunct.