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Opinion on my recipe citra/cascade

Post #1 made 10 years ago
by Viper5110
Hi guys. Hope somebody would be helpful enough to have a quick look at my recipe (see biabacus file)

1- I'll be using a 32L boiler and I'm determined to get between 21-22L (hence the volume alterations)

2- With regard to the recipe this is my first attempt at my own after doing a few based on messer Wheelers book
I'm aiming for something with a bit of punch, very hoppy e.g. Joker IPA, Proper job, Ghost ship etc but I want something around the 4.1-.4.4% Mark. I think an IBU of 70 would get me there but Im happy to be completely wrong :? Not sure if I need the crystal AND the caramalt but just thought it would increase (or destroy) the complexity of the taste. The torrified wheat I'm told this is to help with head (again may be wrong)

Would much appreciate any advice, thanks in advance
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Opinion on my recipe citra/cascade

Post #2 made 10 years ago
by ShorePoints
Viper5110, There was a line in the movie "Jaws" that was something like "I think we're gonna need a bigger boat." What you described in the file just might work with a lot of effort, but it is a work-around for otherwise using a 40 L (or bigger) kettle.
In order to get to "very hoppy" with your extra water held back / added, I believe that you will need 10 - 12% or more hops. And to get to 4.4% ABV you will have to get everything you can into the kettle so that the fermentables will be there for the yeast. The Crystal & Cara seem good for flavor and body and head retention, but take up grain volume that you might need to reach your other targets.
Summary of my opinion - you can try it the hard way you plan and if you increase the hops you can get a hoppy beer, but I predict you will not be on the high side of your desired ABV range.


Shore Points
    • SVA Brewer With Over 100 Brews From United States of America

Post #3 made 10 years ago
by Viper5110
Thanks for the reply. I appreciate the point on size of kettle. I just upgraded from a 19L stockpot to a 32L boiler so I could increase my volume! It seems this still isn't big enough. How much is the safest with a 32L boiler. I'd rather have a smaller amount of good beer than lots of rubbish.

For now I've compromised a little more in my expectations. What do we think of the recipe??? (see new file attached)

Thanks
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Post #4 made 10 years ago
by ShorePoints
Section B says you have 32 L (8.46 gal) kettle capacity and Section K says your mash volume will be 31.96 L (8.44 gal). Just above where it says Section B there is a red warning - Mash volume approaches kettle limits. I do not think you will be able to stir that without spillage, and if you have some sort of bag protector on the kettle bottom that holds the grain bag up, it gives even less space at the top (volume of the thing, if not its height). It would be easier and a simpler brew day if you reduced your (Section B) desired VIF to 19.5 L and in Section W change from [2.5 L added to boil] to [3.75 L used in a sparge]. That gets the red warning to go away. It still makes things harder than necessary and uses a second kettle (yes, I see you have one) to heat that held-back water that has to be poured over the pulled bag. I should know, as I have been on the receiving end of advice regarding holding water back in Section W.
Holding water back either way is not a Full Volume BIAB. I learned (measured) that the return for the extra work involved is a bit less than one 12 ounce bottle of beer. "But additional goods are still in the wet grain," I protested. Not worth it.
Blank out Section W and in Section B, try 16.7 L for VIF - now the red kettle fit warning disappears - it fits in your kettle and gives 4.49 gal as VIF and 4.21 into packaging. Much simpler. Try it.
If one must get 5 gallons into packaging, my 38.5 L (10.17 gal) kettle is not always big enough, someday I'll have to get a bigger one.
I see also that you have fixed KFL and FPL values in Section X. If those come from experience, then all is well. You might get a smaller loss at the KFL and end up with almost one more bottle of beer......
A spill from a too-full kettle during mash is not a good start; a boil-over is bad. Make life easy, make good beer.
Best of luck
    • SVA Brewer With Over 100 Brews From United States of America
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