h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

October 8, 2005

Ingredients
7 lb John Bull Amber Malt Extract
1 lb Munton's Dark Dry Malt Extract
1/2 lb Munton's Roasted Barley Malt 675L
1/2 lb Munton's Black Patent Malt 471L
1/2 lb Munton's Chocolate Malt 338L
1 oz German Magnum Hops (bittering)
1 oz Fuggles Hops (aroma)
12 oz Starbuck's House Blend Coffee
1/2 tsp Irish Moss
Wyeast #1056XL American Ale Yeast

Boiling Times
60 minutes
- malt extract
- bittering hops
15 minutes
- Irish moss
2 minutes
- aroma hops

After the 60 minute boil, the pot was removed from heat and coffee was added. The wort sat covered with the coffee steeping for 10 minutes.

Specific gravity - 1.045

Well, I've been talking about a coffee stout for close to a year now. The dark, roasted character of a stout was just screaming for coffee. And my favorite coffee is Starbuck's. Between the roasted barley, chocolate malt, and coffee, I expect this dark boy to be quite a winter treat.

Cheers!

October 13, 2005

Transfer to secondary.

Specific gravity - 1.010

Rough and gritty, but smooth and coffee-like.

Cheers!

Sounds fantastic, Ariston my boy! This will be my next brew!!!

But...can you explain rough and gritty, yet smooth?

You've got a point there, that doesn't really make any sense.

What I meant to say was crude but smooth. It was only five days old when I had a taste and it was almost like tasting coffee from the very bottom of the pot. But none of the flavors clashed and it seems like it will be easy drinking.

November 19, 2005

Bottling Date

Ended up with a full case of 22 oz bottles, a full case of 12 oz bottles, and another six pack.

Specific gravity - 1.010

I have to say, this beer already tastes really good. I mean I would drink what came out of the secondary. It was a hearty stout with a clean taste. The coffee is there, but not controlling the flavor.

Had a chance to stack up the winter libations.

Blackberry Stout
Winter Warmer
Coffee Stout

And the Scotch Ale in the secondary is almost ready to go. Maybe it won't be such a cold, and bitter winter after all. Well, maybe a little bitter due to the hops.

Cheers!