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You are here: Home --> Forum Home --> Brewing Forum --> Brewing Discussion --> What to brew?

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homebrewdad
Charter Member
Birmingham, AL
2480 Posts


So, I really, really need to brew.  I'm looking at two major choices right now.

The first would be to go ahead and brew my big caramel monster for the Christmas swap.  I expect that it's going to need at least a little aging.

That said, my last couple of beers have been malt forward.  I'm out of IPA, and I'm hating that fact.  I'd really like a fresh supply of Wandering Barbarian.

Decisions, decisions...





Posted 34 days ago.

testingapril
Charter Member
Atlanta, GA
595 Posts


Kegging System + Wandering Barbarian ingredients sounds like a really good father's day gift :)

Is there anything you'd like to change about the recipe? Tweak it a bit? I wish I could give you some constructive feedback, but I don't think I tasted the real deal, so I don't know what would improve it.

If you want something different, how about a hoppy wheat beer? Or hoppy American Amber like Matt is doing? Maybe a hoppy pilsner?

Oh, the hoppy choices, they are so many.




Posted 34 days ago.

tracebusta
Charter Member
Somerville, MA
155 Posts


Do something hoppy! Last night I realized that I have nothing hoppy left and it made me sad. 




Posted 34 days ago.

Necropaw
Charter Member
Central WI
608 Posts


Thanks for reminding me that i still need to do a czech pils.... D:

Ive gotta brew this weekend.  I threw together some starter wort last night that i need to put on the plate tonight.  I have San Diego Super and that uh...Burton Ale that i mentioned last night (i think?)




Posted 34 days ago.

homebrewdad
Charter Member
Birmingham, AL
2480 Posts


I'm going to listen carefully to Matt's advice on the recipe; I'm going to tweak some percentages very slightly.  I really think this was the best beer I ever brewed, so I don't want to change too much.

Hah. kegging setup?  I don't see that happening yet.




Posted 34 days ago.

Necropaw
Charter Member
Central WI
608 Posts


My kegging system has to be the best purchase ive made for homebrewing (other than maybe my mash tun...but i could have done that with BIAB, so eh).

Then again, you know how much i drink...




Posted 34 days ago.

KidMoxie
Charter Member
San Elijo Hills, CA
405 Posts


Session Barbarian? 

IMO you could consider chucking the Vienna (you're already using Golden Promise) and the C-60 (honey malt is plenty of sweetness).




Posted 34 days ago.

homebrewdad
Charter Member
Birmingham, AL
2480 Posts


Heh.  I'm actually considering using *more* Vienna, less Golden Promise.  Honey malt does provide the sweetness, but I feel like the c60 gives some character I would miss.

I may be nuts.




Posted 34 days ago.

testingapril
Charter Member
Atlanta, GA
595 Posts


If you are using American Crystal malt in an IPA, then yes you are definitely nuts.


Gah, I'd have to mash that thing at 148 to even come close to getting it dry enough.






Posted 34 days ago.

homebrewdad
Charter Member
Birmingham, AL
2480 Posts


Nope. it's British crystal - Crisp.




Posted 34 days ago.

KidMoxie
Charter Member
San Elijo Hills, CA
405 Posts


Now, I may be firmly entrenched in the heart of West Coast IPA madness, but IMO *more* crystal character is not necessarily better in an IPA.

I've personally been trying to streamline a bunch of my recipes lately, removing small dashes of this and that which do more to muddle things than add complexity. I believe Denny Conn and Drew Beechum are big proponents of streamlining recipes and I'm beginning to see what they mean.

For instance, the delta in character between Golden Promise and Vienna malt is not so great that I'd even bother including both in a recipe.




Posted 34 days ago.

homebrewdad
Charter Member
Birmingham, AL
2480 Posts


Obviously, the best thing to do would be to brew batches side by side, but I just don't have the setup or time for it.

That said, I again feel like this was the best beer I've ever made.  It's a little different, yes.  This is not a bad thing.




Posted 34 days ago.

tracebusta
Charter Member
Somerville, MA
155 Posts


I've had a couple west coast IPAs and if there's anything I've learned from those; use less crystal malt in IPAs. Those things have been super super sweet, and super bitter. It really felt like the final gravity for those would have been pretty close to 1.020 or higher.
I know the Sam Adams one probably isn't a good example of West Coast IPA, but Green Flash was another name I remember. Wasn't a fan.




Posted 34 days ago.

homebrewdad
Charter Member
Birmingham, AL
2480 Posts


My FG was 1.011 last time.  




Posted 34 days ago.

Matt
Charter Member
Normal, IL
341 Posts


I'm with olan, and most certainly not a part of west coast IPA madness ha I like a bit of caramel in my IPA, and I'm not sure if I tasted the real deal when olan sent me the IPA but it was a damn good beer, shared it with the homebrew club, it was pretty universally enjoyed.




Posted 34 days ago.

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