Experimental Beer Slim's Graham Cracker Ale 2.0

[JordanThomas]

Not sure how much curbing the graham cracker would provide with that label...

 

[SD-SLIM]

Not sure how much curbing the graham cracker would provide with that label...

I agree, my label doesn't oposse masterbation, it just recommends you watch her first while drinking this beer!

 

[jbloeser]

I varied off this recipe last night. Followed basic recipe parameters but the following changes:

10lbs Maris
Didn't have 80 crystal so I used some 40L
Added 1/2 lb rye and oats
Forgot to put chocolate in mash
Added 5 pieces of candied ginger at 5 minutes left in boil
And added 1oz Saaz at 5 min too
Added 1lb honey at flameout

Hydro reading tasted great and came in at 1.074 can't wait but will let it settle for about 8 weeks.

 

[RBRT]

Did you Sparge at all?

 

[SD-SLIM]

Did you Sparge at all?

Yes, but make this call based upon your abilities and your equipments abilities. Sparging will increase your extraction of sugars but only by a small margin.

 

[passedpawn]

Note...Graham Crackers were invented to curb masturbation

Well, I doubted you and looked it up. Interesting!

 

[tlfuller27]

Is there an extract version of this ag?

 

[SD-SLIM]

Is there an extract version of this ag?

You could do a partial mash with 7lbs of pale liquid extract, and use a grain bag for the malts and graham crackers.

 

[Woodybass]

Got this kegged and carbed up over the weekend. I have to say it's probably one of the best beers I've made so far. It finished nice and crisp with the WL004. Has a really silky mouth feel to it also, very pleased all the way around with it!

 

[fifthcircle]

I gotta try this! Thanks for the recipe!!!

 

[Brew-boy]

This recipe looks interesting to me. I always make a holiday beer and give it away as gifts to my coworkers.
I think this one might be a good one to try. I have some Ringwood yeast about to come out of the conical so I will use that.

 

[jmg727]

I'm going to give this a try. Will likely increase the chocolate malt and omit the actual chocolate. Maybe mash a bit cooler. Will keep everyone apprised of what happens.

 

[cgrivois]

are the rice hulls needed if doing BIAB? LBH has American 2 Row Pale Malt 1.2 L, will this work for Pale Malt Maris Otter listed in your recipie. Also LBH has Caramel (Crystal) Malt 80 Lovidbond 1#, is the same as the Crystal Malt 80 you have listed. Sorry for the newby questions, Im still learing the lingo.


Found this on the LBH website Maris Otter - British 2-Row Brewer's Malt - 2 Row British, should I use this instead of the American 2Row Pale Malt?

 

[Lumpy16]

Do the graham crackers need to convert in the mash?

 

[jonnyp1980]

I've been wanting to use vanilla and graham crackers in my stout recipe for a Holliday beer but scared Of the Graham crackers..It's an extract batch when would I use the graham crackers?? In boil, secondary?

 

[Woodybass]

Are you using specialty grains with your extract? If so i would do a course crush on the graham crackers and include them in your muslin bag.

 

[jonnyp1980]

Are you using specialty grains with your extract? If so i would do a course crush on the graham crackers and include them in your muslin bag.

I think thats a great idea. I will try that. Brilliant.

 

[Lumpy16]

Are you using specialty grains with your extract? If so i would do a course crush on the graham crackers and include them in your muslin bag.

I'm thinking you should add like half a lb or lb of 6 row in there. I think you'll want the starches to convert in the graham crackers. Could be wrong thi

 

[jonnyp1980]

I will brew this up extract style to my stout recipe next month. I will report my process and results.

 

[tjwirtz]

Just brewed this last night! OG was 1.070, excited to try it, smells great.

 

[SD-SLIM]

are the rice hulls needed if doing BIAB? LBH has American 2 Row Pale Malt 1.2 L, will this work for Pale Malt Maris Otter listed in your recipie. Also LBH has Caramel (Crystal) Malt 80 Lovidbond 1#, is the same as the Crystal Malt 80 you have listed. Sorry for the newby questions, Im still learing the lingo.


Found this on the LBH website Maris Otter - British 2-Row Brewer's Malt - 2 Row British, should I use this instead of the American 2Row Pale Malt?

Sorry for the delay in replying...rice hulls are cheap, when in doubt, just use them. American 2 row is similar to Marris Otter, but in my opinion nothing is better than Marris Otter. Crystal 80 is Crystal 80, so go with what you found!

 

[SD-SLIM]

Do the graham crackers need to convert in the mash?

Yes...they do have some fermentable sugars in them

 

[SD-SLIM]

Do the graham crackers need to convert in the mash?

Sorry, let me answer that better...80 percent of this adjunct is flavor, 20 is fermentable sugars, that overall will make up less than 5% of your fermentable sugars.

 

[SD-SLIM]

I've been wanting to use vanilla and graham crackers in my stout recipe for a Holliday beer but scared Of the Graham crackers..It's an extract batch when would I use the graham crackers?? In boil, secondary?

Boil....graham crackers have hints of dark sugars, cinnamon and a few other flavors, so you want it to blend smoothly.

 

[fifthcircle]

Brewing this tomorrow, along with Pliny the Elder clone. Boy am I excited!

Two questions:
1) I have crystal 60. Should I use a touch extra 60, or a touch extra chocolate malt maybe? If no answer by early tomorrow, I'm just going with orig. amount but 60.

2) I have vanilla beans that have been in vodka for a year. Should I just use a cup of that vodka vanilla?

Cheers,
Kurt

 

[Jbatten22]

I am brewing this up next week.
My only question is about the vodka and vanilla beans.
How much vodka do you use to soak the vanilla beans, and how long do you soak them for?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Brew-boy]

I brew this yesterday but tweaked a few things for my liking.

12.5 lb English pale malt
1/2 lb Honey malt
1/2 lb Victory malt
1/2 lb Crystal 40
2 boxes of Honey Graham crackers
1lb Light brown sugar
S-04 yeast
Cluster hops for bittering hops
Willamette hops for finish

Will do the Vanilla beans for a week.
No chocolate malt or bakers chocolate I wanted to keep the color close to the crackers, Golden/light brown.

I will age it for two weeks on 5oz of coca Nibs instead.
My final gravity going into the carboy was 1.071.
The smell was Wicked and delicious.

 

[DerekV]

I also used this recipe as a guide but switched things up to go in more of a porter direction. Bottled yesterday after 3 weeks in primary and 1 week in secondary on the vanilla beans. Was super hazy in the primary but after cold crashing and racking to the secondary it greatly improved. I stole a sample during the bottling process and I think I'm going to be quite happy with it.

Malts:
6lb. Maris
3lb. Smoked
1lb. Crystal
4oz. Black
4oz. Chocolate

Otherwise, followed the chocolate, brown sugar and hop additions as the recipe called for. I'll try to remember to come back and post a photo of the first pour when I open one up!

 

[jmg727]

Hey Slim, have you ever tried a heavier version? I'm thinking about entering an imperial stout competition and originally was thinking of a nutty chocolate something. But I thought the graham cracker concept might work and was wondering if you ever went in that direction.

 

[demons210]

Brewed this up today. Smells and looks good. O.G. Was 1.062. The only problem I had was my mash tun got plugged up and wouldn't drain. Had to use alternative means but I got it done. Can't wait for this one to be done. Thanks for the recipe.