Batch #45: Imperial Stout.

Based on the clone recipe for Courage Russian Imperial Stout in Wheeler and Protz's "Brew Classic European Beers at Home." The main modification was substituting a mix of Fuggles and Goldings for the Target, which aren't readily available in leaf form. Brewed the same day as the previous batch. I intended for the brews to overlap a bit more, but was not able to heat (and store) a large enough amount of water.

Recipe

Grain Bill

12 lbs. 4 oz. Paul's Pale Ale malt
2 lbs. 8 oz. Crisp Amber malt
8 oz. Crisp Black malt
5 oz. Hugh-Baird Black malt
1 lb. 12 oz. sugar.

Hops

2.5 oz Fuggle (3.2% AA) @60 min
1.5 oz Kent Goldings (5.0% AA) @60 min

Yeast

Crop from previous bitter

Mash

Single infusion, 110 minutes at 154F.

Vitals

OG: 1.090
FG: 1.020
Calculated IBUs: 55
Carbonation: 2/3 cup corn sugar.

Timeline

Brew day: December 12, 2004.

3:10 pm: Mash-in at 154F.
5:00 pm: Begin recirculation and sparge.
5:43 pm: Finish sparge, about 7 gallons collected.
6:28 pm: Nice rolling boil (maybe earlier).
7:30 pm: Add hops + sugar.
8:10 pm: Add whirlfloc tablet.
8:31 pm: Begin rack and chill. Not much better than the pilsner was, unfortunately :-(
8:54 pm: Finish rack/chill. Wort at 54F(!)
9:02 pm: Pitched. OG 1.090.

Racked to keg with about 1/4 oz EKG dry hops 12/21. S.G. 1.019

Bottled 1/23/05, 46 12-oz bottles plus two lost to breakage.

Tasting notes

8/11/2005

Carbonation light, clarity good, deep red-black in color, with enough carbonation to kick up a short-lived white head. Vinuous orange and chocolate aroma. Comparitively light flavor matching aroma, with a slightly resiny finish from hops. Slight harsh alcohol bite after a few sips.

Submitted to the 2005 MN State Fair.

10/13/2005

(Note: scored in the mid 30s out of 50 at the fair. No medal, but good scoring).

Prior tastings have had a slight "sugary" edge which has finally disappeared. In its place is an explosion of other nice flavors. I think the beer has finally come into its own. Wheeler recommends a minimum of 18 months aging for this beer, so I'm going to have to save some for then....

Carbonation has increased to medium, with cream-colored foam, and surprisingly good head retention. Aroma is rich and chocolaty, followed by a silky smooth chocolate and fruity red wine flavor. Finishes dry and slightly astringent with smoky notes. Absolutely wonderful. Must brew again, this may need to be an annual (or more often) beer...

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