southern brown ale

[louisbrew]

1.048 og
8lbs maris otter
1lb c10 ( wanted c40/60)
.25 chocolate malt 350 L
S04 @ 68
O2 with wine degasser for 45 secs
Mash @ 152 for 60
10 days at 65

1oz of challeger 60 mins
.5 fuggles at 30
.5 fuggles at 5

Fg 1.018

Aged 2 months

Taste is ashy nothing like a sweet nut brown. Should this style be this bland? Used c10 instead of c40. Does it make that big of a difference? I feel like all i am tasting is choc malt? Thoughts?

 

[tagz]

Shouldn't taste ashy with only 4oz chocolate. Thats pretty standard for a brown. Is it possible your getting astringency from your mash or water?