Twisted Vanilla Ale update

I am getting some residual fermentation today.  So I am going to keep the beer in the bucket another day or two.  I took an FG, see link for info, http://www.homebrewmart.com/alcohol.html, and the wort is right about 4%.  Probably 4.5% when finished.  So quite nice.

Twisted Vanilla Ale

So I started a new brew 2 days ago.  This was just going to be a simple amber with hints of Vanilla.  Well, don't brew if you have the munchies for something sweet.  Here is he basics for the boil:

• 1/2 lb 20 Caramel Malt
• 1/2 lb 40 Caramel Malt
• 1/4 lb wheat 
• 6 lbs amber malt syrup
• 2 lbs L.D.M.E.
• 2 lbs Belgian amber sugar
• 1 oz Cascade hops 4.6 AA
• 2 cups Vanilla bean slurry

I started by steeping the grains for 30 minutes at 160 degrees.  I rinsed the grain with a half gallon of  boiled water cooled to 150 degrees to extract remaining color and brought to a boil.  At boil I removed from the heat, slowly adding the two malts, vanilla slurry and sugar.  I proceeded to start the 60 minute boil at this point.  At 30 minutes I added the hops and continued the simmer.  At this point I probably should have been happy, but my nose said the balance was wrong.  I added about 6 oz of cinnamon sticks for the last twenty minutes.  


The wort has been in the fermentin' bucket fer 3 days now.  I believe this will be a wicked brew as I have had to replace the airlock twice due to blow-off!  I will rack to the secondary on Sunday and maybe just maybe I will dry hop it for more complexity.  Wish me luck!

I was trying to find a way to live document my journey through the process of brewing and most importantly enjoying hand crafted beer.  Please join me for the the fun of brewing and the joy of tasting.