modelflyer2003
Active Member
- Joined
- Jan 8, 2016
- Messages
- 37
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- 4
My third 5 gallon extract kit batch was a St. Paul Porter. The other two being the Caribou Slobber and a Midwest Irish Stout. I thought the Irish stout was a little light on the flavor and color so I decided to up the ante with this one. Rather than steeping the grains for 20 minutes I did 30 minutes. I know people say one should NOT ring out the grain bag when using the sparge water. I didn't, but maybe to some of the purist I did a Cardinal sin. I dunked the grain inside the bag repeatedly like one might do with a tea bag for several minutes at a time about 4 times during the steeping. I tell you the wert was very, very dark. I used whirlfloc tablets to make it more clear than the other batches. Nine weeks after brewing I had the first beer. It was awesome. I used a strong flashlight and I could barely see through it, but what I could see, it was clear. It is certainly the best of the three brews. I know that porters are lighter than stouts, but this porter is darker and more flavorful than the Irish stout. FG was 1.013. Calculated ABV was 4.98%, so essentially 5%. I still have a Big Honkin Stout extract kit to brew. I wonder if it will be better than the St. Paul Porter. Does anyone else dunk the grain bag? I dont think I lessened the final product by dunking the grain bag. I think you can appreciate how dark the wert was during the boil. My brother brewed this batch with me. It was his first but hopefully not his last. He preferred the Slobber to the Irish Stout. He hasnt tried the St. Paul Porter yet and is planning to tomorrow.
If you are wondering why the first taste was 9 weeks after brew date. I am new and still follow the recipe in the kits: Rack to secondary at week two, and bottle at week six and wait 2-3 weeks after that for carbonation.
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If you are wondering why the first taste was 9 weeks after brew date. I am new and still follow the recipe in the kits: Rack to secondary at week two, and bottle at week six and wait 2-3 weeks after that for carbonation.