I'm gonna try my first big beer. I wanna do a big Imperial milk stout but I'm getting caught up in the amount of hops to use.
Here's the grain bill:
12 lbs Maris Otter
1 lb C120
8 oz Roasted Barley
8 oz Pale Chocolate
4 oz Black Patent
1 lb lactose
1 lb sucrose (caramelized before adding to boil kettle).
Vanilla bean added after initial fermentation subsides.
Beersmith says about 1.100 for a 5 gal batch. I was going to just use Magnum instead of EKG because there is no flavour addition and if I just want bitter, Magnum would be easier. I'm thinking 1 oz of 13.5% AA US Magnum for an anticipated 33 IBU but is that enough to balance that much malt? I know it's supposed to be sweet, I just don't want syrup.
It's going onto a large pitch of WLP007 that I have ready. Beersmith is telling me estimated FG of 1.013 which I don't believe for a second with that much malt and lactose. I do not yet have a way to oxygenate this wort besides the shaking method. I know that probably won't be sufficient but I've been unsuccessful finding an affordable O2 option (I haven't found those little tanks in the hardware store that you guys all seem to be able to get).