Chocolate Porter recipe critique

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by MenardMa, Jan 30, 2014.

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  1. MenardMa

    MenardMa Initiate (0) Feb 6, 2011 Connecticut

    Hi all, i'm looking for some input on this recipe I put together to brew on Saturday...i've never brewed an all grain porter before so i'm looking for any tips/changes that could make this better! Missing anything that could improve it? Or should I shave anything out? Any input is appreciated.

    Mash 60 minutes
    8 lbs 8.0 oz Pale Malt (2 Row) US (2.0 SRM)
    1 lbs 4.0 oz Caramunich Malt (56.0 SRM)
    8.0 oz Caramel/Crystal Malt -120L (120.0 SRM)
    6.8 oz Chocolate malt (350.0 SRM)
    4.0 oz COFFEE MALT
    4.0 oz Oats, Flaked (1.0 SRM)
    1.6 oz Black (Patent) Malt (500.0 SRM)

    Boil 60 minutes
    1 oz Centennial [10.0%] - Boil 45 min
    1 oz Willamette [5.5%] - Boil 15 min
    4.0 oz lactose sugar - Boil 5 mins
    8.0 oz COCOA POWDER - Boil 1 min

    Yeast - "san diego super yeast" WLP090

    Any thoughts or issues you see? My wife's uncle is actually a candy maker at an amazing chocolate company here in Connecticut and we figured we should exploit his access to top quality cocoa powder and make something chocolatey. (don't ask what the difference is from store bought regular stuff - I have no idea!).
     
  2. harryhood1

    harryhood1 Initiate (0) Dec 5, 2009 Pennsylvania

    What are you hoping it finishes at? Seems a little heavy on crystal/specialty malts to me.
     
  3. MenardMa

    MenardMa Initiate (0) Feb 6, 2011 Connecticut

    It should be right around 6.5% I believe,
    Est OG: 1.066
    Est FG: 1.019

    I came across this little write up on "how to formulate an award winning chocolate porter" (http://www.maltosefalcons.com/tech/formulating-and-brewing-winning-chocolate-porter) where they give the following percentages

    60%pale malt
    12%CaraMunich/CaraVienne
    6%melanoidin malt
    3%wheat malt
    6%flaked oats
    9%brown sugar
    3%chocolate malt (Carafa)
    1%black patent malt

    ....I didn't try to match it exactly, but tried to get FAIRLY close on some of the percentages, sort of used it as a rough base

    Maybe I don't need all that crystal since I have so much caramunich though. Hmm.
     
  4. MrOH

    MrOH Grand Pooh-Bah (3,995) Jul 5, 2010 Virginia
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    I a significant portion (~10-15%) of brown malt into my porters and get a nice chocolatey character from it.
     
  5. MenardMa

    MenardMa Initiate (0) Feb 6, 2011 Connecticut

    Hmm, maybe i'll replace some of that caramunich with that.
     
  6. firstthenlast

    firstthenlast Initiate (0) Nov 25, 2013 Massachusetts

    A little bit too much crystal for my liking. But if you like it go for it. I would use more chocolate malt.
     
  7. VikeMan

    VikeMan Grand Pooh-Bah (3,067) Jul 12, 2009 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah

    +1 on Brown Malt. For pretty much any porter.
     
  8. MenardMa

    MenardMa Initiate (0) Feb 6, 2011 Connecticut

    thanks guys, much appreciated! i'll make some adjustments tonight
     
  9. wspscott

    wspscott Pooh-Bah (1,958) May 25, 2006 Kentucky
    Pooh-Bah

    FWIW, my gut says less caramel malts and a little more black patent.
     
    firstthenlast likes this.
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