Autum Seasonal Tasting

Appearance: Billowing, slightly tan head with good retention. Dark amber body, moderate haze.

Aroma: Cinnamon and nutmeg dominate, with ginger in the background. Not really sure what cardamom and allspice smell like, so hard to judge their impact. Spice is intense and unlike anything one would normally find in beer. A bit of crystal malt aroma too. Not sure is smells exactly like pumpkin pie, but pretty close.

Taste: Again the spice dominates. Hard to taste any actual pumpkin though. Malt sweetness and a bit of crystal character come through as well. Maybe a hint of molasses note. Alcohol is noticeable but not biting - slightly warming. Bitterness is low, but the cinnamon flavor gives it a kind of drying, spicy effect at the end.

Mouthfeel: Moderate to high body, despite the sugar and molasses additions. Carbonation is medium.

Overall: Not my favorite style and I would probably not have more than one at a time, but this one is spicy without being overwhelming with spice. Pumpkin taste doesn't really come through, and for me it's hard to distinguish this from a Festivus-style winter beer.

Oktoberfest Review

Appearance: Billowing tan off-white head with good retention and lacing. Deep mahogany body that's not quite crystal clear.


Aroma: I get a fairly intense nutty, toasty malt aroma, like bread crust. No hop aroma. Something is off though - a green apple aroma or maybe an overly roasty quality. In any case does not taste right.

Taste: Similar to the aroma, very malty with a dry, toasty character. Hop bitterness present but low. Maybe a slight hint of astringency. Also has a green apply quality and some type of tartness.  Off

Mouthfeel: Pretty creamy and dry. Moderate carbonation.

Well, fail. This one has an offer flavor. I suspect a fermentation problem or an infection.

ESB Brewday

Recipe Specifications
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Boil Size: 7.00 gal
Post Boil Volume: 6.25 gal
Batch Size (fermenter): 5.50 gal  
Bottling Volume: 5.00 gal
Estimated OG: 1.053 SG
Estimated Color: 11.2 SRM
Estimated IBU: 36.0 IBUs
Brewhouse Efficiency: 75.00 %
Est Mash Efficiency: 81.8 %
Boil Time: 60 Minutes

Ingredients:
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Amt                   Name                                     Type          #        %/IBU        
5.50 gal              Boston, MA                               Water         1        -            
5.50 g                Calcium Chloride (Mash 60.0 mins)        Water Agent   2        -            
5.50 g                Gypsum (Calcium Sulfate) (Mash 60.0 mins Water Agent   3        -            
9 lbs                 Pale Malt, Maris Otter (3.0 SRM)         Grain         4        86.7 %       
8.0 oz                Aromatic Malt (26.0 SRM)                 Grain         5        4.8 %        
8.0 oz                Caramel/Crystal Malt -120L (120.0 SRM)   Grain         6        4.8 %        
4.0 oz                Special Roast (50.0 SRM)                 Grain         7        2.4 %        
2.0 oz                Acid Malt (3.0 SRM)                      Grain         8        1.2 %        
1.50 oz               Fuggles [6.00 %] - Boil 60.0 min         Hop           9        29.6 IBUs    
0.50 oz               Fuggles [6.00 %] - Boil 20.0 min         Hop           10       6.0 IBUs     
0.28 tsp              Irish Moss (Boil 10.0 mins)              Fining        11       -            
0.50 oz               Fuggles [6.00 %] - Boil 1.0 min          Hop           12       0.4 IBUs     
1.0 pkg               London Ale (White Labs #WLP013) [35.49  Yeast         13       -            


Mash Schedule: 152F, Mash Out, Batch Sparge
Total Grain Weight: 10 lbs 6.0 oz
----------------------------
Name                    Description                                          Step Temperat Step Time    
Mash Step               Add 13.97 qt of water at 165.0 F                     152.0 F       60 min       
Mash Step               Add 8.30 qt of water at 200.0 F                      168.0 F       10 min       

Sparge: Batch sparge with 2 steps (Drain mash tun , 2.93gal) of 168.0 F water
Notes:
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 Brewed 9/30/17

Hit mash temp OK. But had higher than expected efficiency - at first got about 6.9 gallons at 1.050. Diluted to 7.5 gallons at 1.046 and started boil. Still a bit over gravity.

At end of boil, ~6.3 gallons, 1.054 OG. Cooled to 100F, settled, and racked. Allowed to cool overnight.

10/1/17: 7:15 am. Oxygenated 35 seconds, pitched decanted starter. Ambient air temps ~66F in my basement.