Octoberfest Opinions

[Dahoove]

Created my 1st O'fest receipe and am looking for opinions.
5 gallon batch.
Grain/Extract/Sugar

% Amount Name Origin Potential SRM
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
40.5 4.50 lbs. Munich Malt Germany 1.037 8
5.0 0.55 lbs. Crystal 55L Great Britian 1.034 55
49.5 5.50 lbs. Pilsener Germany 1.038 2
5.0 0.55 lbs. CaraPilsner France 1.035 10

Potential represented as SG per pound per gallon.


Hops

Amount Name Form Alpha IBU Boil Time
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
0.83 oz. Hallertauer Tradition Whole 6.00 19.5 60 min.
0.55 oz. Mt. Hood Whole 6.50 3.8 15 min.
0.55 oz. Tettnanger Whole 4.50 1.6 5 min.


Yeast
-----

WYeast 2124 Bohemian Lager

I'm trying for something like Sprecher's Octoberfest.

Thanks in advance.

[Speyedr]

That looks pretty good Dahoove, only you might want to change a couple of the grains. You are making a "malt bomb" here. Munich can comprise 80% of your grain bill, if you want. Vienna can make up 90%. I'd ditch the pils entirely and stick with Munich and Vienna as my base, but that's just me. For the specialty grains I'd lose the Crystal and instead go with Caramunich, Carahell, Carafa, etc. These have a more subtle sweetness and again, more malty flavor.

The Hop Bill looks OK except for the 5min addition. There is very little hop aroma in an O-fest. I wouldn't add anything past 30-min. before end-of-boil, but again, IMHO.


Rob

[Bugeater]

I agree with Speyedr's suggestions. Also, due to when you are brewing this, you might as well call it a Maibock, few people will know the difference.

Wayne
Bugeater Brewing Company

[Dahoove]

I agree with Speyedr's suggestions. Also, due to when you are brewing this, you might as well call it a Maibock, few people will know the difference.

Wayne
Bugeater Brewing Company

Wouldn't 80% Munich be to dark for a MiaBock?

The funny thing is I bought Munich by mistake instead of Vienna. My original plan was brewing Mia Bock, but I thought it would be to dark. Since I have pils I was hoping to use that, but I guess I can get some Vienna.

[bub]

Ok west Alis..... AKA Milwaukee.....
Brew it and call it good... WTF cares if it is o fest or maibock?
I love you
BUB

[BrewBum]

I thought Oktoberfest and Marzens were interchangeable but not Maibocks. Did I miss something?

[Speyedr]

Maibock and HellesBock come in at 6-11 SRM, but with an S.G. of 1.064 to 1.072 and up to 40IBUs

Ray Daniels has a VMO chapter in his book, Designing Great Beers, for Vienna, Marzen and O-fest. These are anywhere from 7 to 16 SRM, but the S.G. is much lower at 1.046 - 1.056 and top out at 30IBUs for the group.

[Bugeater]

I thought Oktoberfest and Marzens were interchangeable but not Maibocks. Did I miss something?

You are right, I meant Marzen, but my brain locked up. I had better go get some lubricant for it.

Wayne
Bugeater Brewing Company