CONQUISTA-S'MORE (1st Session - Nov, 2014)

SUMMARY
This beer was TERRIBLE. 
Talk about everything-but-the-kitchen-sink syndrome. Everything about this beer was off. This recipe will need a complete overhaul if attempted again.

RECIPE

Grains/Extracts (~12.5lbs - All Grain)

6.6 lbs Light LME (9.0 lbs Maris Otter - All Grain)

1.0 lbs Amber DME (exclude from All Grain)

1.0 lbs Biscuit Malt

.25 lbs Black Patent

.75 lbs Chocolate Malt

.75 lbs Crystal 80

.25 lbs Honey Malt

.25 lbs Roasted Barley

.25 lbs Smoked Malt (Peated)
Hops (27 AAUs)
     12 AAUs Kent Golding (3 oz | 4%)
     15 AAUs Northern Brewer (1.5 oz | 10%)
Yeast (1 Packet of Either)

Wyeast 1084

(Med | 71-75% | 62-72°F)

Wyeast 1028

(Med-Low | 73-77% | 60-72°F)

Misc

1.0 lbs Lactose
1.0 lbs Brown Sugar
2.0 lbs Graham Crackers
1 Vanilla Bean
Marshmallow Flavor

BREW NOTES

- Long specialty grain steep - Normal boil - Transferred wort too early (too hot)
- Hot wort seemed to damage transfer tubing & created undesirable plastic odor

FERMENTATION NOTES

- Normal fermentation
- Transferred to secondary w/ vanilla bean and few drops of flavoring
- Bottled with cane sugar (2/3 cup)

     

TASTING NOTES
Initial Taste (3 weeks)

- Strong marshmallow flavor on first taste
- Graham cracker flavor was totally absent
- Smoke flavor was hardly noticeable
- Disgustingly cloying. Reduce lactose in future batches (perhaps .75 lbs)

Secondary Taste (2 months)

- Marshmallow flavor fell into the background nicely
- Graham cracker flavor still totally absent
- Smoke flavor sill unnoticeable
- No carbination (considering repriming with tablets)

LESSONS LEARNED
K.I.S.S applies to everything
Lactose is a power substance
Carb like a man
Don't ever brew this recipe again (needs total overhaul)