Tweaking my first brew.

[Jamison]

My first batch was a Strong Dark Belgian (extract with specialty grains). The recipe I used called only for CaraMunich grains. It turned out great. It was supposed to be a Rochefort 8 clone, but tastes almost exactly like New Glarus ABT (I wasn't really expecting Rochefort 8). My only complaint is that it could be a tad darker, a little more raisiny and have better head retention/lacing.
I plan on doing an IPA next, but after that I want to revisit the SDB. I plan on doing a mini-mash next time. I was thinking of adding some Aromatic Malt and a tad bit of Choclolate and/or Special B malt for color and raisin flavor. For the head retention/lacing should I try to improve it with grains or would I get good results just by priming with some DME or Munton's Kreamy X? I just used corn sugar in my first batch.
Thanks!

 

[jollytim]

A bit of CaraPils does wonders for head retention.

 

[Smokeater233]

I'm with Jolly - add some CaraPils or some Cara Red for both head retention and fuller mouth feel.

 

[Jamison]

Thanks, didn't realize Dextrin malt was AKA CaraPils. I will put that on my shopping list. I have kind of a gunslinger mentality in the kitchen so I was thinking of getting the brewsmith software to help me put together my mini-mash recipe. I'm afraid I might over do it if I don't. Any experience with that?

 

[asterix404]

I was looking at getting brewsmith stuff to help me as well and I decided that it wasn't worth it. There are plenty of great recipes (both all grain and extract + speciality grains) out there and a few quick searches will lead to free stuff on the Internet that more or less mimic exactly that it does. Honestly, to develop great recipes I would get 2 books,

The first is "The Complete Joy of Homebrewing Third Edition" by Papazian (amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0060531053/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20)

The second, once you are about 8-10 batches in and have the process down is:
"How to Brew: Everything You Need To Know To Brew Beer Right The First Time" by Palmer (amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/0937381888/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20)

I have found that with these two books, it's far better than any software that I could have and packed with more information than is even remotely useful, though it gives you something to talk about endlessly at parties.

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated at all with any of the above authors or publishers, I do however believe that these two books should be in the library of any home brewer (and most likely are).

As far as over-doing it, I do it all the time and it produces excellent to indifferent results. After reading the books, I have yet to produce a truly bad beer. Basically, get the books, read some of it to get an idea about what you want to do, and ask people on forums and message boards.