Notes: The idea was that L. Plantarum's citrusy acidity could be interesting together with the dark malts.
The original plan was to ferment with WLP 644 Sacch, but ended up using US-05 because there was no time for a starter.
NB: Weyermann De-husked Carafa II + 250 gr Flaked Wheat is added right before sparge
Malts used: Weyermann Pale Wheat Weyermann Floor-Malted Bohemian Pilsner Weyermann Vienna Flaked Oats Weyermann De-Husked Caraf II Weyermann CaraHell Weyermann CaraMunich II
Brewing notes: - Added the Carafa II and 250 gr flaked wheat right before sparging. Heated the wort up to a boil, then cut the power and cooled it to 35C. Ended up with with 22L in each plastic carboy. (1.053 OG) Pitched contents of 7 Probi Mage Plantarum in each carboy (70 bill cells). Did not drop the PH with lactic acid. Lets the wort cool down to ambient (20C).
Pitched 1,5 packages of rehydrated Safale US-05 in each carboy after 2 days of souring. (Probably added 0,5 tsp yeast nutrient to each carboy aswell, but my notes lack the info)
9 days later: Added cocoa nibs and vanilla to each carboy. I used hop bags full of nibs/vanilla that had been soaking in an imperial stout for a while. Curious to see if I could get two brews out of them. It worked, but it`s subtle. The amounts added to my stout were a bit bonkers, so each hop bag had about 600 gr cocoa nibs and 13 vanilla beans. Those amounts are obviously not necessary for 1. use.
1 month later: One carboy got zest from about 4 limes, that had been soaking in a small amount of vodka for a short amount of time.
2 days later - Bottled both carboys with 6,5 gr table sugar per liter.
Tasting notes and possible changes if I would brew it up again: - Its really bright, almost crisp, with a lemony acidity and lime upfront, and dark malts taking over after a few seconds. Dry, but not astringent. Its pretty black, allthough you can see a red hue through it. I`d consider decreasing the amount of Carafa II a little bit, and up the caramel malt next time. |
