Pumpkin Robust Porter (AC)

A true pumpkin stout, with some pumpkin added to the kettle. No herbs and spices.

Brewed 5.0 gallons on 2015-01-11

Preboil gravity: 1.055

Original gravity: 1.063

Final gravity: 1.012

ABV: 6.7%

Apparent Attenuation: 81.0%

Process notes

2015-01-12

By 7:00pm (~24 hours after pitch) there's highly active fermentation taking place. Temp down to 67°.

2015-01-28

Kegged. Fruity, berry esters. A bit of alcohol aroma. Taste is chocolatey and a bit roasty. Some bitter balance. Not bad, but not spectacular. Not noticing any pumpkin.

Boil for 60 minutes

At 60 minutes

1.75 ounces of 5.7% Alpha Acid British Kent Goldings pellets

At 60 minutes

3.5 pounds of Libby's 100% Pure Pumpkin (Roasted pumpkin for 90 minutes @350°. Dumped directly into kettle.)

At 15 minutes

0.75 ounces of 5.7% Alpha Acid British Kent Goldings pellets

At 15 minutes

1 Whirlfloc Tablet

At 0 minutes

0.75 ounces of 5.7% Alpha Acid British Kent Goldings pellets

Mash

[76.42%] 11 pounds 12 ounces of California Select (Pure California) 2-Row (GreatWesternMalting)

[9.76%] 1 pound 8 ounces of German Munich (Weyermann)

[3.25%] 8 ounces of Black (Patent) (Briess)

[3.25%] 8 ounces of Crystal 60L (GreatWesternMalting)

[2.44%] 6 ounces of Caramel 40L (Briess)

[2.44%] 6 ounces of Chocolate Malt (Briess)

[2.44%] 6 ounces of Pale Chocolate Malt (CrispMalt)

Single infusion mash. Mashed with 5.75 gallons (1.50 quarts per pound) of tap water for 60 minutes. 15lb 6oz of grain was used in the mash. (Ending temp: 151 degrees)

Strike water temp: (0.2/1.50) * (153 - 68) + 153 = 164.4

Sparge

Sparged for 45 minutes with 4 gallons of 170° tap water. (Tastes great, chocolately + thick. Pumpkin not noticeable.)

Yeast

2015-01-11

Pitch 3 packs of WLP001 California Ale (WhiteLabs) at 69°.

Tasting notes (6.00/10; 3 ratings)

2015-04-29

[6/10] Khaki head, decent retention, small-medium bubbles. Soft chocolate, vanilla, coconut aromas. Really enjoy the way this smells. Hints of coffee as well. Bitter, roasted chocolate flavors, something slightly metallic; almost a grassy finish. Dry. Smells better than it tastes, but not bad overall. Not noticing any pumpkin.

2015-06-23

[6/10] Notes similar to 4/29. Sweet chocolate aromas. Some astringency + I'm still getting that metallic finish. Maybe the pumpkin? Maybe don't add the dark malts until sparge. Mouthfeel probably isn't bad for a porter.

2015-08-20

[6/10] Last pour. Had a robust porter last night (Foolproof Raincloud) that was similar to this; roasted, some vanilla w/ bitter, earthy hops. Feels thinner than I remember it.

Beer competition results

Scored 34 in 2015 NHC.

Placed 1st in Sudzers Dark Beer Competition.