Recipe Help- 1st attempt at old ale, Rip 'er up guys!

[chrishw]

I thew threw this together tonight. It is much more "complicated" than most of my recipes, with a bigger selection in my grain bill. I'm planning at mashing about 152-154 depending on yeast. I have a WLP028 yeast cake in the fridge I'm thinking about using rather than the London ale if you guys think that would be ok? I put some Victory in to try to give it more nuttiness, I guess many people use a little Munich but I thought the victory would accomplish the same thing without the aroma, I am wondering if I should use a bit more though? I put in the Fuggles and EKG because I have .4oz of each leftover- I am more than willing to cut or add. I'm probably going to toss in a little medium toast french oak cubes for a little oaky vanilla.

I welcome all comments- this is a first attempt and would appreciate any and all ideas!

Thanks in Advance!

Old Ale

Anticipated OG: 1.076
Anticipated SRM: 21.9
Anticipated IBU: 37.0


Grain/Extract/Sugar

% Amount Name Origin Potential SRM
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
85.6 11.50 lbs. Pale Malt(2-row) Great Britain 1.038 3
3.7 0.50 lbs. Crystal 60L America 1.034 60
3.7 0.50 lbs. Treacle Generic 1.036 100
3.7 0.50 lbs. Victory Malt America 1.034 25
1.9 0.25 lbs. Crystal 120L Great Britain 1.033 120
1.4 0.19 lbs. Chocolate Malt Belgium 1.030 500

Hops

Amount Name Form Alpha IBU Boil Time
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
0.75 oz. Hallertau Northern Brewer Whole 8.50 25.2 60 min.
0.40 oz. Goldings - E.K. Whole 4.75 7.5 60 min.
0.40 oz. Fuggle Pellet 4.75 4.2 30 min.

Yeast
-----
White Labs WLP013 London Ale

[BadRock]

I think it looks really pretty good. You could probably bring your IBU's up just a little. You are probably going to age this for a while so the hop bitterness will mellow a little with time. I would also mash a little higher. depending on your system maybe even as high as 158. I did one several months ago at 156 and I really wished I had gone up to 158. The treacle really seemed to dry it out giving it a thinner mouthfeel. Good Luck!

[Mylo]

I put some Victory in to try to give it more nuttiness, I guess many people use a little Munich but I thought the victory would accomplish the same thing without the aroma, I am wondering if I should use a bit more though?

Victory is totally different than Munich. Victory give you a "toasty" flavor - a la Fat Tire. Munich is a very rich malty flavor (doesn't necessarily have to be sweet). I think you will be fine with .5 lb. I really like the victory flavor. I agree with BadRock - you are going to have some really decent sweetness, especially if you mash higher - I think you need to balance it out with a touch more IBUs - maybe bump it up into the low 40s. Fuggles and EKG are right on for this style, IMHO. Go easy on the oak.


Mylo

[Big Tex]

+1 on the bittering... You'll need to bump up our bitterness to balance it out. Your BU:GU needs to be around .70 for a good Ole Ale. Your currently at .49. Bring your IBU's up to 54 or 55 and you should be golden.

[chrishw]

Ok- more hops/higher mash temp- gotcha! That is a easy fix!

In my mind I associate many of the kilned malts like Victory/Munich with breadiness, I don't agree they are totally different- sorta like 3rd cousins! I'd call Victory and Crystal 120 totally different!

Any comments on using the scottish yeast?

Thanks!

[Big Tex]

I use Wyeast 1028 but WLP013 is a great choice as well.

[BDawg]

I think it looks pretty good.
Don't mash too high, though. 154 should be about the limit. Big beers generally need to have some simple sugars just to they don't become cloying.

HTH-