Sunday 27 April 2014

porter take 1

Doing science all day and talking about science in this blog can get a bit repetitive. But luckily I have a hobby to rest my mind, which takes the form of homebrewing beer (only on extract at the minute). I dabbled a bit before and am now continuing to dabble after my move to Glasgow. My first 'new' homebrew experience is making a porter-like beer (maybe on the 'robust' side), which in my head was a 'less-smooth' stout. You can read the exact description here. This was actually brewed for a friend of mine's birthday in April..

Below is the recipe I followed: and results.







Basic Information
Batch Name:porter1
Brewed By:Connor
Style:Robust Porter
Batch Size:4.50 L
Boil Time:45 min
Initial Boil Volume:4.5 L
Mash Method:Steeped Grains and extract
Brew Date:1/22/14
My Rating:5/10 (being harsh)

Typical Style Characteristics
Style:'Robust Porter'
O.G.1.048 - 1.065
F.G.1.012 - 1.016
ABV4.8 - 6.5
IBU25 - 50
SRM22 - 35°L
Color                               dark black/ruby?

Calculated & Measured Statistics
Calculated O.G.1.067 (75% Efficiency)
Calculated F.G.1.026 (65% Yeast Attenuation)
Measured O.G.1.074 (inf% Actual Efficiency)
Measured F.G.1.020 (73% Actual Attenuation)
ABV7.5%
IBU57.2
SRM29.3°L
Color - dark, can see ruby when light shone through it. But pretty opaque. 

Malt Bill
Malt NameWeightPPGSRMType
Light Dry Extract0.75 kg1.0448.00Extract/Adjunct
Chocolate Malt - 350°L0.10 kg1.028350.00Steeped Grain
Barley, Flaked0.06 kg1.0322.00Steeped Grain
Caramel/Crystal Malt - 10L0.03 kg1.03510.00Steeped Grain

Mash Rest Profile
RestTemperatureTimeTypeDetails

Hop Bill
Hop NameTime AddedWeightAA%Type
Northern Brewer (U.K.)30 min20.00 g9.0%Leaf Hop

Yeast Details
Yeast StrandQuantityAttenuationFlocculation
Safale British ale yeast. 3x10_975High

Dates
Cooking
1/22/14Brew Date
3/30/14Bottle

Notes
I measured the OG with a refractometer, which gave a reading of 18 brix making it an OG of 1.074. Not far off what was expected but (stupidly) over what is recommended by the 'regulations' on a porter. This might explain some of the 'sweeter' characteristics I get when tasted (see below). 

I actually did a 45 minute boil, adding the hops at 30 minutes.

I used half  the yeast pack with no reconstitution. (should have made a starter). After three weeks in primary at 18-20 degrees C (room measured at 18 but fermenter likely higher?). The brx value was 11, meaning an FG of 1.020 (attenuation of 73%). This level of attenuation is on target of this yeast strain. However, this probably resulted in the inherent 'sweetness' of the beer. This also left the ABV at about 7% (it tastes like it too). To give a low level of carbonation I added 18g dextran to it prior to bottling. Bottles were left for  at least 1 - 2 weeks. Many more being left longer.

At Week 1. Flat. No head. Little yeast at bottom.
Caramel aroma.

Taste. Initial. Flat. Mild sweet. Malty.

Residual. Bitter chocolate. Hoppy.

Mouthfeel. Medium dry. Low in body.

Alcohol. Can tell it.

Best to gulp.

At week 2. Much the same, sweetness appears more and obviously more carbonated but no head still.

For next time I would make it less sweet and carbonate it more but would like more body and head. How is this possible? Could incorporate bitter flavors: coffee? cocoa powder to round off the flavour. I also think a better yeast start wouldn't go amiss to bring the FG down. 

No comments:

Post a Comment