Beer Forum

Ok I have been thinking of an odd light ale. Something like an ordinary bitter, low gravity with a bit of twist on flavor.

I have done one so far and over did the biscuit malt. It was better after aging but a bit over the top at first.

What I am thinking is a batch over 5 gallons to be able to use what I can get more efficiently. I am still extract brewing so AG is out for now. I plan on playing with the extra wort as I have a smaller carboy waiting to be put to use.

What I am working with is as follows.

7 pounds Light LME
Biscuit Malt or Victory
Honey Malt

1968 London Ale Yeast

Shooting for a SG around 1.035 and will work out the particulars using one of the calculators. Just guessing now at about 7 to 8 gallons. Can not find my notes from last time but remember something about 1 pound extract per gallon. I converted it to dry malt so it gets even more confusing by memory.

Have not called to see what hops are available but will use Goldings or Fuggles single boil for light bitterness. Something under or around 2 ounces.

What I am looking for are recommendations on the amount of grains. I am going for the honey biscuit flavor. Based on last brew I am thinking around 1 pound of biscuit or a bit less. That is what I used for the last 5 gallon batch and it was a bit much but with the extra volume and the addition of the honey malt it may work. Have no idea on the amount of Honey Malt to use.

Ideas?

ThistyBoy have any ideas?

honey malt doesn't taste like honey, it's pretty similar to biscuit or victory in a general malty malt sense, kinda the lager malt equivalent to biscuit or victory

if you use both in such a light ale it will be very malty


to me honey malt is a munich substitute, if you want something different from munich then honey malt can fill in, or if you want something in a lager where you'd use biscuit/victory in an ale you'd use honey malt

a lot of people use it in place of doing a decoction mash, a bit of honey and aromatic is supposed to simulate a decoction .. I haven't tried this and can't say whether it does or doesn't

I'd probably go about it something like this (7 Gals):

7 lbs light LME (preferably. Munton's or other British extract)
3/4 lb Victory
1/4 lb Crystal 120
2 oz Chocolate malt

2 oz Fuggles 5% at 60 mins
1/2 oz EKG at 15 mins
1/2 oz EKG at 2 mins

Wyeast 1968 or WLP002