Will this taste good?

[expertmax]

Hi beersters,

I recently brewed a batch from a LME : Briess Special Dark, I added 1oz of UK Goldings at 60min and 1oz of Simcoe at 20min. The only yeast available to me at the time was Danstar Munich Wheat.

I'm wondering if this beer sounds like it is going to taste any good. My OG is 1.050 and right now the yeast is working hard, the krausen is visible.

Next time I'll do an all-grain. Maybe like a wild cherry flavored ale like the famous belgian Kriek.

 

[AlesofAnarchy]

ExpertMax. your beer will be really malty and sweet, KG hops are low Alpha so if you got up around 30 it would probably be a nice tasting porter? You'd have a dunkel but not enought wheat in the speacial dark. If you need any help with recipies let me know, I have hundreds of good ones! Good luck and enjoy your beer

 

[wilserbrewer]

Expertmax,

Just my opinion, but I suggest doing a few simple traditional beers to develop your techniques prior to trying a wild cherry flavored belgian kriek. Not trying to discourage, just my approach....

Next time I'll do an all-grain. Maybe like a wild cherry flavored ale like the famous belgian Kriek.

 

[WoodlandBrew]

That sounds like a beer I would like, but everyone's taste is different. If this is one of your first beers i would recommend riding it out until it mellows to something you would like.

If you are familiar with how flavors evolve over time you might try bending it with some additions before you bottle.

 

[expertmax]

I guess you are right. I really want to do all-grain ASAP but I have absolutely no experience with brewing. The last batch that I made was very easy to do and pretty straightforward. Do you think an American Pale Ale should be easy enough (from extracts) for a beginner ?

I was also looking into buying some hardware for all-grain mashing. I cannot find the poor man's version of the huge stainless 10-gallon. I'm trying to find some plans using maybe a 5-gallon cooler tank like the Gott Cooler but I live in Canada and we have a hardware store called "Canadian Tire" and they don't carry that specific brand. I also have to drill holes in the copper tubing and etc. How will I keep water at a specific temperature too? Gosh I have so much to learn.

 

[doug293cz]

You might want to look into BIAB (Brew in a Bag) as an introduction to all grain brewing. It's not much different than extract with steeping grains, just more grain. All you need is a boil pot and a paint strainer bag from your local home improvement store. No need to build a mash tun, or have a HLT.

There is a whole sub-forum on HBT about BIAB (https://www.homebrewtalk.com/forumdisplay.php?f=244.) Read the stickied thread for starters. Pick your batch size to be about 1/2, or a little more, of your boil pot capacity. Many BIAB'ers stay with BIAB forever, but some people aren't really happy with BIAB and move on to traditional 3-vessel AG. It's all about personal preference. But it's a good way to get started with AG.

Brew on

 

[expertmax]

Whoa that looks awesome ! I guess it will have the same effect as mashing in a stainless pot...

Thank you for that link, will definitely take a look at my local hardware store.

 

[lazarwolf]

Many people don't even consider biab an introduction to all grain, just a new way to do all grain. You should really consider partial mash brewing too. Read deathbrewers partial mash thread.

 

[doug293cz]

Many people don't even consider biab an introduction to all grain, just a new way to do all grain. You should really consider partial mash brewing too. Read deathbrewers partial mash thread.

Yeah, "introduction" wasn't the best choice of words. I should have said: BIAB is the simplest (in many peoples' opinion) way to do all grain, with the least amount of equipment. It's not in any way a "lesser" or "beginner's" process for all grain. Full disclosure: I am a die-hard BAIBer.

BIAB and partial mash have the same level of process and equipment complexity. The main advantage of partial mash is that it allows a given batch size to be done in a smaller pot. This is because you can use extract to make a higher gravity wort to boil, and then dilute to the desired OG in the fermenter.

Brew on

 

[Calder]

Whoa that looks awesome ! I guess it will have the same effect as mashing in a stainless pot...

Thank you for that link, will definitely take a look at my local hardware store.

I think you said you were in Canada. You might hve problems getting paint straining bags. For some reason, they don't seem to be in the stores in Canada.

You might want to look up Whistlebrewer (I think that is the name) and buy a heavy duty BIAB bag. I think he makes them to size.


.... and the brew. It will be beer, will be interesting, and could be decent. It will be sweet, roasty, and a little different. Special Dark LME is 30% C60, 20% Chocolate Malt, and 3% Black malt. That's over 50% speciality; 20% is considered high.

 

[doug293cz]

I think you said you were in Canada. You might hve problems getting paint straining bags. For some reason, they don't seem to be in the stores in Canada.

You might want to look up Whistlebrewer (I think that is the name) and buy a heavy duty BIAB bag. I think he makes them to size.


.... and the brew. It will be beer, will be interesting, and could be decent. It will be sweet, roasty, and a little different. Special Dark LME is 30% C60, 20% Chocolate Malt, and 3% Black malt. That's over 50% speciality; 20% is considered high.

It's actually "Wilserbrewer", his website is: http://biabbags.webs.com/. I get all my BIAB bags from him.

Brew on

 

[lazarwolf]

That is a definite advantage. There are others as well, when you do a pm batch you don't have to worry about pH levels. They cool super quick, you can brew any style, they're reliable. It's not a huge deal if your mash effeciency is a little off, you can be then in your kitchen, and they are a great way to learn advanced procedures while making great beer. And I defy any one who's not a bjcp judge to tell the difference. Having said that, I love biab too.

 

[expertmax]

Oh thanks I'll buy one when the time comes.

So far the krausen has dropped in the carboy, I see little to no activity in the airlock. But supposedly it can happen and it does not mean anything. The beer is fermenting and there is nothing weird growing in there.

I can't wait to sample a few sips just before I bottle my creation. I think it will taste like a sweet porter. I got told this is not worth moving into secondary fermentation. I'll be brewing a batch of American Ale in June and I'll try a secondary fermentation on that one.

I hope my FG will be as close to 1 as possible... I really want a high ABV, otherwise my beer might end up tasting like syrup.

Ohh this first ever batch is very stressful but will be very rewarding in terms of experience.