Background Information:
A friend of mine and I are getting together on Wednesday to brew an Imperial Stout- I've never done one before, but since he rarely gets to brew I'm going all in. Cheers to others who share brewing with friends and family!
I've had great success making my own recipes so far because I've created beers styles I'm extremely familiar with: IPA's, APA's, Dopple Weizen Bocks, and graff/cider. I've had a number of great stouts in my time, but never drank them in great quantities. Here is my recipe:
Recipe:
Mike & Dan's Imperial Stout
(5 gallons, post boil)
13 LBS Marris Otter
2 LBS Biscuit Malt
1.5 LBS Roasted Barley
0.5 LBS Chocolate Malt
1-2 ounces of Columbus Hops (60 min boil: I'll know how much once I estimate the OG)
Nottingham's Ale Yeast for a dry, less estery finish and ease of use.
Goals:
1) getting roasted/coffee flavors without overwhelming
2) punch a subtle hint of chocolate in there
3) give it a toasty/biscuit-y backbone
4) retain a slightly malty sweetness for balance
5) have an "imperial" body
Questions:
1) what is my expected original gravity assuming 65% brew house efficiency?
2) Nottingham's is a tough little mother, but I'm going to pitch two packets. Is this a wise choice?
3) I'm going to have the LHBS crush my grains a day prior, but theoretically I go there the day of and have them do it. Which is the best preference?
4) I am using what I believe to be a typical amount of roasted barley for a regular stout. Will my imperial stout retain the same roasted flavor? or will the balance be skewed by the addition of so much base malt (marris otter)?
5) Will I achieve my goals?
Thanks as always, you home brew professionals!
A friend of mine and I are getting together on Wednesday to brew an Imperial Stout- I've never done one before, but since he rarely gets to brew I'm going all in. Cheers to others who share brewing with friends and family!
I've had great success making my own recipes so far because I've created beers styles I'm extremely familiar with: IPA's, APA's, Dopple Weizen Bocks, and graff/cider. I've had a number of great stouts in my time, but never drank them in great quantities. Here is my recipe:
Recipe:
Mike & Dan's Imperial Stout
(5 gallons, post boil)
13 LBS Marris Otter
2 LBS Biscuit Malt
1.5 LBS Roasted Barley
0.5 LBS Chocolate Malt
1-2 ounces of Columbus Hops (60 min boil: I'll know how much once I estimate the OG)
Nottingham's Ale Yeast for a dry, less estery finish and ease of use.
Goals:
1) getting roasted/coffee flavors without overwhelming
2) punch a subtle hint of chocolate in there
3) give it a toasty/biscuit-y backbone
4) retain a slightly malty sweetness for balance
5) have an "imperial" body
Questions:
1) what is my expected original gravity assuming 65% brew house efficiency?
2) Nottingham's is a tough little mother, but I'm going to pitch two packets. Is this a wise choice?
3) I'm going to have the LHBS crush my grains a day prior, but theoretically I go there the day of and have them do it. Which is the best preference?
4) I am using what I believe to be a typical amount of roasted barley for a regular stout. Will my imperial stout retain the same roasted flavor? or will the balance be skewed by the addition of so much base malt (marris otter)?
5) Will I achieve my goals?
Thanks as always, you home brew professionals!