Notes: Batch #4 - 15/4/19 (Eff. 55.5%, ABV 8.7%)
- Same grist as Batch #2, strike temp was 73C instead of 72C.
- Dark grains added for last 20 min of mash.
- Pitched onto yeast cake from 'Voices in My Red', US-05 yeast, should have mashed 30L when pitching onto a yeast cake.
- Fermented out like crazy for first 24 hrs, left at 20.5C for 2.5 weeks while overseas.
9/5/19 - SG: 1028, tastes big and boozy, cold crashed, finished a little higher than expected
10/5/19 - Vanilla bean soaked in bourbon (24hrs) added to fermenter to see if it would help bring down the boozy flavour.
12/5/19 - Kegged and 3 bourbon barrel chunks added, force carbed at 30psi for 2min 30sec.
Batch #3 - 24/9/18 - 7.6% ABV at SG: 1034
- Same grist as Batch #2, strike temp was 73C instead of 72C.
- Dark grains added for last 20 min of mash.
- Boil cut to 40 min from 60.
- 32L in mash 21L in fermenter.
4/10/18 - This batch was left unsupervised for 10 days then tested SG:1036 which was high, tasted a little boozy warm and rich.
6/10/18 - Moved to keg and 3 bourbon barrel chunks added, left to age at room temp to finish fermenting. SG:1034. Tasted a little sweet, boozy warmth has gone, lots of rich cocoa and dark chocolate flavours
14/10/18 - SG: 1034, keg has been releasing pressure when checked but no ferm appears to have happened. Tasted of dark choc and cocoa, slight grainy texture, moderate bourbon on the back, decided not to add any more bourbon chips yet.
4/11/18 - Keg taken to Golden Prop and half drunk. People liked it, lots of cocoa and sweetness, good amount of bourbon.
Batch #2 - 28 May 2018 (Finished 8.1% ABV)
- Gladfield American Ale - 6.5kg
- Weyerman Munich 2 used instead of Munich 10L - 2kg
- Bries CBW Pilsen LME - 1.5L
- Weyerman CaraMunich III used instead of Crystal 60L - 0.45kg
- Gladfield Dark Chocolate Malt - 0.45
- Gladfield Roasted Barley - 0.45kg
- Weyerman Carafa 3 Dehusked - 0.3kg
- 1kg Light DME in for 1.5kg Pilsen LME
- 32L mash down from 33L
- Dark malts added for last 15min
- Strike temp was a little high 73.5C
- 2 packs of yeast rehydrated in 200:100ml water/wort and 1/4 tsp yeast nutrient.
6/6/18 - SG: 1032, a bit boozy with a lot of chocolate aroma and full body
7/6/18 - Added 3 bourbon soaked bourbon barrel chunks
12/6/18 - SG: 1030
16/6/18 - SG: 1030, cold crashed, has a subtle but good bourbon aroma and flavour.
17/6/18 - Kegged with a single bourbon soaked oak cube for 2 weeks till it will be bottled for the wedding with the code name "Something Borrowed, Something Brewed."
30/6/18 - Tasted last bottle, smooth maybe a bit more bourbon this time that could be dialled back next batch, warm at the back, still really tasty.
- Given to Mike & Kirilee for their wedding in PET bottles counter pressure filled from keg.
Batch #1 - Feb 2018
- Weyerman Carafa III De-husked used instead of Black malt.
- Weyerman Munich 2 used instead of Munich 10L.
- Weyerman CaraMunich III used instead of Crystal 60L.
- Nugget hops used instead of Millennium.
- Dark grains added for last 15 min of mash.
- 2 packs of yeast rehydrated in 200:100ml water/wort and 1/4 tsp yeast nutrient.
- Use 1L less (32L) of mash water next time as batch was a bit too big for fermenter.
28/2/18
- SG:1024, added 5 bourbon barrel chunks that had been soaked in bourbon for 5 days.
- SG: 1022, mild bourbon after taste, very smooth with hints of chocolate, left on the bourbon chunks and didn't add more as it was progressing nicely.
- Cold crashed and kegged, FG: 1022 was high, ABV 8.5%
- People freaking loved this beer, will make again for sure. |
