Lactose

[Mad Dog]

Brewed up something that I hope is in the guiness theme. 5 gallon batch with the following:
1lb crystal 150
1lb chocolate mash
30 minute steep at or below 170f
7 lbs dark LME
8oz Lactose
1oz cascade for an hour
4 whole vanilla beans for an hour
1 oz cascade for last 10min
Came out at 1.058 OG
Used Wyeast American Ale

Hoping for FG around 1.020 (thinking the Lactose will keep it high)

What do you think?

[hyjak]

It will be dark, sweet and nothing like a guiness.
However it will most likely be pretty nice if a little heavy in sweetness and have a feeling the vanilla beans will shine through a LOT

[Mad Dog]

What's the guiness secret I wonder

[Chris2012]

leprechauns

[Mad Dog]

Dang it!!! Closest I can come to that is Bigfoot.

[hyjak]

Research the 'dry stout' style, there is no lactose in guiness, swap the yeast for an english or irish strain from the same company.
Drop the vanilla beans and most if not all the choc malt, add some black barley maybe some flaked oats for mouth feel and tighter head, that would be a starting point then I would be looking at the hops you used. Something a little less 'American' would be more suitable for what oyur trying to acheive.
By all means what you have made will be tasty just not what you are trying for.

[Guru]

Try adding some unicorn horn as well, and get the lepracauns to stir it in... sorry couldn't help myself.

[Mad Dog]

Do you dip the tip of the unicorn horn in the wort at the end once its cooled? Because I do something similar each batch... LOL

I have ingredients for my next four batches (pales and ambers) but after those I will try a little harder for a G clone. Thanks guys.

[emnpaul]

What do you think?

I think you should ask questions before you put your brew down instead of after. It will still be a decent beer but nothing like a Guiness, save the colour.

BTW, merry Christmas and I hope the Leprechauns don't scare off Santa Claus.

[Mad Dog]

Lol, true enough. But,,, I can always make more.

Now, how long do I steep the leprachans?

[Chris2012]

leprechauns - 20 minute rest @ 55C -57C, but make sure they're fresh otherwise you get off flavours

[Oliver]

Agree with the comments so far. I'm sure there are plenty of clone recipes out there, and most wouldn't include that great American hop, Cascade, I wouldn't think

The other "secret" of Guinness (tap and "widget" cans) is nitrogen rather than CO2, which produces that creamy head we know and love. It's something that you can do at home if you keg but my understanding is that you need slightly different equipment.

I am sure others can provide more information on the use of nitrogen.

Cheers and Merry Christmas,

Oliver

[Mad Dog]

THANKS OLIVER!!! I was wondering how they get that cascading effect.

BTW, bottled Guinness blows. Keg rocks!