AG #15 - Death By Chocolate Stout

[The Goatreich]

Hi all,
I'm looking to do my second version of this brew in the next few weeks. My changes would be that I'll probably use cacao nibs in place of the bournville powder, and I need to fix the vanilla addition as I couldn't taste it last time. Tempted to leave off the aroma hops in order to allow more vanilla.

Maris Otter pale malt 3250g
Chocolate Malt 198g
Amber Malt 182g
Caramalt 158g
Flaked Barley 317g
Bournville cocoa powder 80g

90 minute mash @ 68C

2 vanilla pods @ 90 mins
Target 36g @ 90 mins
Fuggles 19g @ 10 mins

S04 yeast

Any thoughts?

 

[Vossy1]

Is that a 23ltr batch G....if so very restrained on the Cocoa compared with mine...more wiff of choc than Death :lol:
How long did you leave the original on the Cocoa out of interest?

 

[The Goatreich]

I fancy upping the chocolate this time, and the vanilla. It was lovely last time, but not much of these two flavours.

Also, I'll likely use cacao nibs as I don't think these contain milk powder, I'd need to check that though.

Last time I added the cocoa to the boil I think, so it was there for the duration. I can't remember specifically though, it was a few years ago.

 

[Vossy1]

I used Bourneville dark powder as it doesn't contain milk powder, just cacoa and used 250g in 23ltr...judges feedback was good not overly choccy....hence wiffy above :grin:
Time wise I meant on the choc sludge in the fv, just wondered how long as I left mine for 10 days, I too added mine for the last 10 mins.

 

[The Goatreich]

I see, I think it probably was in the FV for 14 days, that tends to be my standard.

 

[Vossy1]

Thanks TG :thumb: , I might experiment leaving mine for longer next time :hmm:

 

[The Goatreich]

I'll check my notes when I get home and let you know.

 

[Pjam]

I used about the same amount of cocoa powder for 11 litres and it's far from ready yet so I don't know how right or wrong that might be.

I dissolved the cocoa with a little dextrose in about 250 ml of water before adding it to the boil. My only taste (trial jar) suggested it was quite bitter and I only lightly hopped so I don't know if this was the cocoa or not?

Also, in addition to pods I used a good quality Vanilla extract : Nieisen-Massey Vanillas.int Leewarden NL.

Anyway, good luck with it :

 

[The Goatreich]

Cheers.
I do remember that this took around 2 months in the bottle before it stopped being too bitter. I think this was down to the cocoa.