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cactusgarrett

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Tl; dr: trying my hand at Tropical Stout and would like your feedback.

I'm somewhat of a traditionalist when it comes to styles, but every now and again I dig exploring a new or obscure style. I started kicking around the idea of a stout with german lager yeast for an upcoming club brew-off, and Tropical Stout was unearthed (BJCP 16C). The best info i found was this article, while the HBT database has very minimal info itself. The closest commercial example I've had of a TS is Lion, so I've got minimal first-hand experience to go by.

Based solely off that article, I cobbled together the recipe/info below. Anyone have experience with Tropical Stout?

70-80% Maris Otter
NMT 5% Unmalted Roast Barley
NMT 10% Debittered Carafa III
5-6% Crystal 40
5-6% Crystal 80

  • BU/OG of 0.5-0.7, but leant towards the lower end to accentuate sweetness.
  • The only hop addition being a bittering charge of Target, Galena, or Nugget (a high alpha hop with minimal flavor).
  • Single infusion at 152°F for 60min.
  • 60min boil, possibly longer to generate more complex flavors.
  • Lager yeast at 60-65°F for primary fermentation, then lager for at least 3 weeks.
 
Jaymil's recipe uses ale yeast which is not traditional.

If it was were my stout I would go with a 2:1 ratio of roast barley and chocolate malt, then about 10% crystal made up of at least 2 different crystal malts.
 
Thanks, guys. I just found Tonsmeire had something up, too. Omitting the muscavado, sounds like a more complex grainbill is in order. Second iteration:

76% Maris Otter
5% Crystal 40
5% Crystal 80
4% Unmalted Roast Barley
4% Debittered Carafa III
2% Debittered Black
2% Special B
2% Chocolate
 
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