Melange Ale

[Freezeblade]

yes yes, it's a Dune reference. The idea behind this recipe is to make a spiced ale for Christmas and Halloween time, but to have a delightfully geeky theme. the basis is an irish red, but emphasis is put on spicyness, and as such some wheat and a wheat yeast is used, this is not meant to be to any actual style, but just a tasty spice-laden brew.

Brew Type: All Grain
Batch Size: 5.00 gal
Brewhouse Efficiency: 60.0 %
Boil Time: 75 min
Mash temp: 150

Ingredients
8.00 lb Pale Malt, Maris Otter (3.0 SRM) Grain 62.0 %
3.00 lb Wheat Malt, Bel (2.0 SRM) Grain 23.3 %
1.00 lb Caramel/Crystal Malt - 20L (20.0 SRM) Grain 7.8 %
0.50 lb Cara-Pils/Dextrine (2.0 SRM) Grain 3.9 %
0.40 lb Roasted Barley (300.0 SRM) Grain 3.1 %
1.25 oz Fuggles [4.50%] (75 min) Hops 20.5 IBU
0.50 oz Goldings, East Kent [5.00%] (0 min) Hops
1 Pkgs Belgian Wit II (White Labs #WLP410)

Spice additions (All gently crushed, boiled in water and added to secondary)
2 2" cinnamon sticks
7 allspice berries
1/2 nutmeg "nut"
6 cloves
12 cardamom bits
2 peppercorns

Estimated Original Gravity: 1.057 SG
Estimated Final Gravity: 1.015 SG
Estimated Color: 16.8 SRM
Estimated Alcohol by Volume: 5.5 %

So, what do you all think? more wheat, less wheat, get rid of the crystal maybe a lower/higher mash temp? any suggestions are welcome.

 

[ericd]

I'd go for a Dry Irish Stout base style and add Black Cardamom, Cloves, Nutmeg, Cool Cinnamon and Allspice. I don't think the pepper would really fit. Also make sure to use the 'cool' variety of cinnamon. I'd go with black cardamom over green cardamom, too delicate for this.