First barley wine

[micsager]

First off, don't ask me. But swmbo told me too

Anyway, starter going, and will use the BCS recipe. Start with 1056 and finish with champagne yeast.

Any suggestions?

[bluesman]

I recommend mashing low around 149F. Pitch in the low 60's and control the fermentation as this high gravity beer will want to take off. I would expect as much as 10 degrees of temp rise if you don't control it with a swamp cooler of fermentation control chamber of some sort.

You'll need a large starter and plenty of oxygen for this beer.

[dannyjed]

I wouldn't use the champagne yeast, just use a large starter. 

[tom]

I wouldn't use the champagne yeast, just use a large starter.

+1
Lots of yeast.  How big of a starter are you planning?

And lots of yeast with lots of sugar need lots of oxygen, and they will make lots of heat.  Be prepared for the temperature control.

[Mark G]

I wouldn't bother with the champagne yeast either. You might want to consider making a smallish beer first and repitch the slurry instead of making a starter. And to echo others, temp control is key. I hold it in the low 60s for a majority of the fermentation, and bump it up a bit towards the end.

[hopfenundmalz]

I recommend mashing low around 149F. Pitch in the low 60's and control the fermentation as this high gravity beer will want to take off. I would expect as much as 10 degrees of temp rise if you don't control it with a swamp cooler of fermentation control chamber of some sort.

You'll need a large starter and plenty of oxygen for this beer.

That is my advice.  Large starter, lots of O2 (even an extra shot a few hours later), and control that temperature.  Your BW can be ready to drink in a few months if you do this.

[micsager]

Thanks everyone.  I have two, 1400ml starters, will pitch them both.  And a chest freezer with dual Ranco for temp control. 

Heating strike water now........

[bluesman]

Thanks everyone.  I have two, 1400ml starters, will pitch them both.  And a chest freezer with dual Ranco for temp control. 

Heating strike water now........

Good Luck!