Grain bill critique

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by SeaOfShells, Nov 28, 2012.

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  1. SeaOfShells

    SeaOfShells Initiate (0) Feb 22, 2011 California

    3 lbs. 2=Row
    1 lb. Munich 10L
    1 lb. Crystal 90L
    1/2 lb. Carapils
    1/2 lb. Vienna.

    It's a partial mash IPA, and with 5.5 lbs of DME it should come to about 1.072.

    Do I have too many specialty grains?
     
  2. Mfedonczak

    Mfedonczak Initiate (0) Aug 18, 2008 Texas

    You wont get much from .5 lbs of vienna. I would also use a lighter crystal malt and half that amount but that is just my preference.
     
  3. ericj551

    ericj551 Pooh-Bah (1,638) Apr 29, 2004 Canada (AB)
    Pooh-Bah

    I think it looks good, but I agree with Mfedonczak, I would cut the crystal in half and use lighter if possible. I prefer to use caravienna in my IPA's but I'm not anti-crystal. I think you could do without the carapils as well, but that's also personal preference.
     
  4. JackHorzempa

    JackHorzempa Grand Pooh-Bah (3,375) Dec 15, 2005 Pennsylvania
    Society Pooh-Bah

    I would recommend lighter crystal malt as well; 40L or lighter.

    I also agree with the comments of:

    · You will likely not notice the ½ lb. of Vienna malt but it will not hurt to have it.
    · I think the ½ lb. of Carapils is ‘overkill’. You will obtain all the body you need from the crystal malt.

    What yeast will you be using? I recommend an attenuative yeast for American style IPAs: US-05.

    Cheers!
     
  5. AlCaponeJunior

    AlCaponeJunior Grand Pooh-Bah (3,452) May 21, 2010 Texas
    Society Pooh-Bah

    I think the extreme fine nuances of who would add or subtract what from your recipe won't make nearly as big a difference as making sure your technique is sound, sanitation is good, and pitching/fermentation temperatures are ideal (think under 70F). If you do a simple, yet effective partial mash technique, and use a good overall procedure, you can made a damn fine IPA with lots of different recipes. I might choose a slightly different recipe too, but that's aside the point. I guarantee that with good extract and partial mash techniques, you can make good beer!

    That being said, change the 1lb 90L caramel and change it to 1/2 pound 20L or 30L. Then brew it exactly as you formulated it. I think we already discussed partial mashing and extract brewing, yeah... you'll be fine hoss :sunglasses:
     
  6. GreenKrusty101

    GreenKrusty101 Initiate (0) Dec 4, 2008 Nevada

    Who the hell makes a 90 L crystal? : )
     
  7. VikeMan

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

    Caravienne is a crystal malt.
     
  8. hopfenunmaltz

    hopfenunmaltz Pooh-Bah (2,635) Jun 8, 2005 Michigan
    Pooh-Bah

    Briess does.
     
  9. GreenKrusty101

    GreenKrusty101 Initiate (0) Dec 4, 2008 Nevada

    I must have fallen asleep...I didn't think there was anything between 80/85 and 120 L
     
  10. GreenKrusty101

    GreenKrusty101 Initiate (0) Dec 4, 2008 Nevada

  11. ericj551

    ericj551 Pooh-Bah (1,638) Apr 29, 2004 Canada (AB)
    Pooh-Bah

    You're right. I didn't mean to say Caravienne wasn't a crystal malt, but it is different in character (and better suited to IPAs in my personal opinion).
     
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