There are a few lonely cans of MB HMEs sitting on my shelf, so I think it is time to put two of them to good use. This recipe is slightly modified from an original MB one, hence the changing of the name for those that might recognize it. I have no idea what to expect from this recipe, but those that have brewed the original MB one have all had positive things to say. Apparently the wheat and stout do take a couple months to come together, but when they do...look out!
Nightfall Ale - brewed on 5/26/2011 - 1 St Patrick's Irish Stout - 1 Whispering Wheat Weizenbier - 1 cup honey - about 1/3 oz Kent Goldings pellets - 2 packs or MB yeast
anticipated ABV 5.8%, IBU 32
I followed standard MB directions for this one all the way through. Brought about 4-5 cups of water to a boil, shut off the flame, and mixed in everything. Could not be easier! That is why there could always be a place for MB extract based brewing; so fast and simple...it is like that was the MB plan all along ;-)
I put some ice water in the LBK, and after the wort pasteurized for a few minutes, I dumped it in and WOOHOO: the wort was already in the mid 60°s! I have no idea why I didn't think of this before! So I filled up to the 8.5qt mark, and in went the yeast. Actual pitching temp: 67°
ferment through 6/9/2011
carb/condition through early July
1st sample 7/26/2011 ~poured out pitch black with a HUGE tan head that slowly receeded into about a finger of foam that retained the whole way down the glass. The faint nose came mostly from the stout portion of the recipe, as it was a hint of roasty-ness and coffee. Nothing major, and I needed to take a good whiff to even get that. If you have tried WWW or an MB stout (Sticky Wicket or St. Patty's)...it tastes exactly like you would expect a blend these 2 flavors to be. Basic stout up front with the typical roasted coffee notes, followed with a basic subdued wheat profile (I really never have liked WWW, so sorry about that MB!). The sip then gets a bit more interesting on the back of the tongue when the Kent Goldings kicks in and you get a hint of lemon and what I can best describe as a soft flowery spiciness. As far as mouthfeel goes, it is a bit on the "watery-thin" side, which makes it go down nice and easy. It really was quite interesting. I am curious to see if the flavor profile changes in the coming weeks, but it is certainly an interesting and unique beer as it sits in the bottle right now.