Imperial Stout Sweet Chocolate Milk Stout

[rob6239]

After spending an hour reading on the difference between cocoa (unsweetened powder) and cacao (generally nibs) - has everyone who had made this strictly used the powder in the boil? Would anyone use nibs instead (in boil or fermenter) ? Everyone who has made this seems to like it so I don't want to screw mine up...

 

[Bullhawk]

I made this recpie 8 weeks ago, I doubled it and made a 10 gallon batch and it turned out fantastic, it's been in a keg for 3 weeks now. I will make it again, the only issue is alot of the coco powder settles out in the bottom of the carboy and reduces your yield.

 

[rob6239]

I made this recpie 8 weeks ago, I doubled it and made a 10 gallon batch and it turned out fantastic, it's been in a keg for 3 weeks now. I will make it again, the only issue is alot of the coco powder settles out in the bottom of the carboy and reduces your yield.

Would a hop sock or muslin bag work for the cocoa powder?

 

[Cannedsalmonmousse]

Just pitched the yeast for this. I'm excited. My grain bag ripped and some burnt on the bottom... but it still smells good.

 

[dendron8]

subscribed

 

[dendron8]

Put this in the fermenter today.. Og 1.094 and it smelled delicious!

 

[dendron8]

Fermentation stalled at 1.054, had to pitch fresh s-05.

 

[degivens]

Just made this -- hit 1.090.

Plan is to throw vanilla, cinnamon, ginger, and honey in the secondary.

Then throwing it in a fresh apple brandy barrel.

It's gonna get weird.

 

[dendron8]

Mine is still sitting in secondary after almost 3 months. Sg is only 1.032.. And now it's starting to taste off, I'm guessing from the multiple yeast starters and probably some oxidation.

If I did this again I would definitely stay away from the s-33.

 

[rob6239]

Would a hop sock or muslin bag work for the cocoa powder?

I used one and if anyone else was wondering - I dont think I got nearly the chocolate taste and aroma some of you folks are describing.

 

[degivens]

Went from 1.090 to 1.030 in around 48hrs at 66F -- this one went crazy quick.

dendron8, just noticed you're in Raleigh, i'll have to let you try mine around November when it gets out of the barrel.

 

[dendron8]

@degivens that sounds awesome! Did you use s33?

I'm at abs a lot, are you ever there? Are you a member of carboy?

 

[degivens]

@degivens that sounds awesome! Did you use s33?

I'm at abs a lot, are you ever there? Are you a member of carboy?

I go by ABS occasionally to pick up supplies, but that's about it.

I used 2 packets of S-33.

I'm guessing carboy is a homebrew club? I'm not in it, but am a member of the RHBA.

 

[degivens]

@degivens that sounds awesome! Did you use s33?

I'm at abs a lot, are you ever there? Are you a member of carboy?

I go by ABS occasionally to pick up supplies, but that's about it.

I used 2 packets of S-33.

I'm guessing carboy is a homebrew club? I'm not in it, but am a member of the RHBA.

Looks like i'm getting my fresh barrel next week -- really curious to see how this comes out.

 

[Abrayton]

I plan on brewing this in about two weeks. I'm going to use 05 because it's what I'll have on hand. I've never worried about water chemistry or ph before and I'm not sure I want to yet, but I've been reading about darker beers having the need to keep ph in check. I'm wondering if others have brewed this without tracking ph and had good results.
Thanks

 

[Abrayton]

Is this there a preferred brand of cocoa powder to use for this recipe?

 

[degivens]

Is this there a preferred brand of cocoa powder to use for this recipe?

I’ve used the Hershey powder stuff from the grocery with no issues.

 

[degivens]

Put an iteration of this recipe + madagascar vanilla beans and a bit of cinnamon in a small 10gal fresh Apple Brandy barrel for a few months.

A buddy who is a BJCP judge said it’s high 30s/low 40s scoring wise.

It’s outstanding.

 

[redarmy990]

brewing this over the weekend, bought some unsweetened organic cocoa powder . Will be fun to see how this works out.

 

[redarmy990]

So brewed this baby on Sunday. Got 1.072OG, Still dialing in my mash and boil all grain system.Only my third AG. so not too bothered.

Used London ale yeast and its bubbling away, my tilt hydrometer is telling me right now it is down to 1.041.
Must say the sample i pulled off for initial reading tasted great.

 

[redarmy990]

UPDATE........ As of now i am at 1.025 temp at 65 checked using the tilt hydrometer, Went from 1.072 to 1.025 in 3 days, just going to leave this for another 2 weeks or so and see where I end

 

[Dockside_Brewing]

What are the fermentation temps? Also just to clarify the sugar and coco are added at 45 min. So is that with 15 minutes left or 15 min into boil? Also anyone try the debittered black patent malt?


Thanks,

Scott

 

[Abrayton]

What are the fermentation temps? Also just to clarify the sugar and coco are added at 45 min. So is that with 15 minutes left or 15 min into boil? Also anyone try the debittered black patent malt?


Thanks,

Scott

My question as well. I’m assuming add lactose and cocoa powder with 15 minutes left in the boil?

 

[degivens]

I did 15 min left. Also I did started fermentation at 64 and slowly ramped up to 71 over the course of ~10 days.

 

[Abrayton]

Thanks for the response. Brewing this Saturday. Only adjustments are WLP001 and debating adding flaked oats.

 

[redarmy990]

also added cocoa and lactose in last 15 minutes.
Had mine at 65-67 for the first 2 weeks, My tilt hydrometer is telling me im still at 1.025 but does keep flicking into 1.024 every so often, im guessing fermentation is done but still going to leave it another week or so

 

[Abrayton]

Brewed last night. Added 1.5lbs oats and used WLP001. Hit all volume #s dead on but efficiency ended up pretty low and I only hit OG 1.080. Maybe crush? I’m sure it’s going to be a great beer though.

 

[redarmy990]

Just kegged my stout, had an epic fail over the weekend had suck back and my starsan blowoff ended up on top of my stout.

The gravity sample tasted ok and came out at 1.016 and around 7% abv

What did you guys carb this to beersmith is telling me 2.2, thinking of serving this at around 48 degrees

 

[Dockside_Brewing]

I agree. I am going to carb mine at 2.2 also. Let us know what the end product taste like. How much starsan did it inhale?

 

[redarmy990]

around a quarter of a gallon, although it was watered down