Schwarzbier

[quickerNu]

Brewed my first beer that wasn't a kit this weekend! Feels like I lost a crutch- I'm pretty excited. All went well, but there was a bit more coffee/ harsh smell than I expected. Not sure how much this will mellow out. I plan on brewing it again today, do the chest freezer isn't tied up on one brew. Is there any ingredient I should cut down or increase to mellow out that harshness and be a bit more sweet, or will it mellow with time?

Here is the recipe:

Type: Partial Mash
Date: 5/11/2008
Batch Size: 5.00 gal
Boil Size: 5.83 gal
Boil Time: 60 min Equipment: Neals Pot
Brewhouse Efficiency: 70.00
Taste Notes:

Ingredients

Amount Item Type % or IBU
5.00 lb Munich LME (8.0 SRM) Extract 57.14 %
2.00 lb Pilsner (2 Row) Ger (2.0 SRM) Grain 22.86 %
0.75 lb Carafa III (525.0 SRM) Grain 8.57 %
0.50 lb Caramel/Crystal Malt - 40L (40.0 SRM) Grain 5.71 %
0.25 lb Black Barley (Stout) (500.0 SRM) Grain 2.86 %
0.25 lb Chocolate Malt (350.0 SRM) Grain 2.86 %
1.00 oz Pearle [8.00 %] (60 min) Hops 27.9 IBU
0.50 oz Saaz [4.00 %] (30 min) Hops 5.4 IBU
0.50 oz Saaz [4.00 %] (5 min) (Aroma Hop-Steep) Hops -
0 Pkgs German Bock Lager (White Labs #WLP833) [Starter 100 ml] Yeast-Lager



Beer Profile

Est Original Gravity: 1.054 SG
Measured Original Gravity: 1.053 SG
Est Final Gravity: 1.014 SG
Estimated Alcohol by Vol: 5.20 %
Bitterness: 33.3 IBU Calories: 231 cal/pint
Est Color: 42.9 SRM Color:

 

[Yuri_Rage]

Lose the black barley and carafa III. Substitute enough dehusked carafa to make up for the color difference.

 

[TexLaw]

Roastiness will mellow with time, so you can just wait it out. If you want a quick fix, drop that quarter ounce of chocolate. I would also see if you can get some of the Carafa Special II, rather than the III (and I assume you are using the dehusked "Special" when you mention Carafa - if not, go with the Special).


TL

 

[quickerNu]

Yea, couldn't find special in beersmith, I'll edit that- it is dehusked III. I don't have a lhbs, so all I have is, well, what I have. I can add or subtract, those are the only grains I have in stock. To clarify- there is an almost burnt smell I dont like. From the smell of the grain, I'm leaning toward the black barley. Is there a good online resource for what grain imparts what flavors? Also, I have the freezer set at 52. any benefit by going higher or lower? It is bubling away just fine right now. Thanks for the help, guys.

 

[TexLaw]

I'm not sure how I missed the black barley in the recipe before. Definitely drop that before anything else. Your temperature sounds good.


TL

 

[quickerNu]

Cool, I cut the barley and left everything else the same- smells great at a rolling boil! Also noticed Austin Homebrew Supply threw in an extra oz of Saaz in my last order- very cool.

 

[david_42]

Good move on the black barley. You definitely do not want that flavor in a Schwartz bier.

 

[quickerNu]

Almost every recipe I saw had it, but it sure smelled too harsh. Well, I have back to back brews with and without it. Only other change was moving 1/2 oz saaz from 5 minutes to 1 minutes. We'll see how it comes out. My OG hit a little high on the second batch (1.055) but I'm not worried about being .001 out of style.