Chocolate Mint Dessert Stout 5 Gallon
Mint Stout? Why, yes please! Trust us on this one, it's way, way out of this world. A full rich malty flavor backed up by some hits of peppermint and vanilla. If you are a fan of Thin Mints, then you will love this beer. Instead of eating an entire box in one sitting you will be drinking an entire batch in one sitting. You might not remember what exactly happened but all you will know is that it was darn good and you would definitely do it again.
WHAT YOU GET
1 Can of Coopers Irish Stout HME
1 Can of Coopers Dark Malt
2 Packets of BrewMax LME Smooth
2 Packets of Lactose
2 Packets of Crystal 60 Malt
2 Packets of Chocolate Malt
2 Packets of Cacao Nibs
1 Packet S-04 Ale Yeast
3 Hop Sacks
2 Packets of No-Rinse Cleanser
YOU PROVIDE
1 Teaspoon of Peppermint Extract
2 Teaspoons of Vanilla Extract
4oz of Cocoa Powder
FOR FANS OF
Southern Tier Brewing Company Thick Mint Imperial Stout
BREW SPECS
Flavor: Sweet
Original Gravity: 1.065
Final Gravity: 1.019
ABV: 6%
SRM: (Color): 32
IBU: (Bitterness): 30
STEP 1: SANITIZING
Cleaning is one of the most important steps in brewing. It kills microscopic bacteria, wild yeast, and molds that may cause off-flavors in your beer. Make certain to clean all equipment that comes in contact with your beer by following the directions below:
1. Fill clean fermenter with 8 liters (2 Gallons) of warm water, then add 1 pack of No-Rinse Cleanser and stir until dissolved.
2. Use your measuring cup to scoop the liquid up and run it down the side of the Coopers Fermenter. Do this around the entire fermenter a few times. Then add your krousen kollar and repeat. Then take some of the solution and pour it into the lid and allow it to sit for 2 minutes. (If you have a different fermenter sanitizing may be different.)
3. To clean the spigot, open it fully and allow the liquid to flow for 5 seconds, and then close.
4. Pour some of the solution from the fermenter into a large bowl. You need enough to fully cover your brewing utensils. Place your spoon/whisk, can opener, and measuring cup into the bowl to keep them cleaned throughout the brewing process. Leave them immersed for at least 2 minutes in the cleaning solution prior to use. Any remaining solution in your fermenter can be discarded.
5. After all, surfaces have been thoroughly cleaned, do not rinse or dry the keg or utensils. Return lid to the top of the fermenter, proceed immediately to brewing.
STEP 2: BREWING
Brewing beer is the process of combining a starch source (in this case, a malt brewing extract) with yeast. Once combined, the yeast eats the sugars in the malt, producing alcohol and carbon dioxide (CO2). This process is called fermentation.
1. Remove the yeast packet from under the lid of the can of Brewing Extract, (Not Needed for this recipe) then place the unopened cans and BrewMax LMEs in hot tap water.
2. Add all 4 packets of grains between 2 of your hop sacks, tying them closed.
3. In your clean 1-gallon or larger pot pour 8 cups of water. Bring water to a temperature of 155, add in the grains and steep for 30 minutes at 155-160 degrees
4. Once 30 minutes have passed remove the pot from heat, rinse the grain bags with 2-cups of hot water, do not squeeze. Discard the grains.
5. Bring the grain water up to a low boil, add in both packets of LME mix until dissolved, then add in the 4 ounces of Cocoa Powder, and Lactose sugar. Stir gently for 5 minutes at a low boil. Then remove from heat.
6. Open both cans of Brewing Extract and pour the contents into the hot mixture in your pot. Stir until thoroughly mixed. This mixture of unfermented beer is called wort.
7. Fill your fermenter with enough cold water to cover the spigot hole of the fermenter. Approximately 1-2 gallons of water.
8. Pour the wort into your fermenter, and then bring the volume of the fermenter to 5 gallons or 19-liters by adding more cold water.
9. Stir your wort mixture vigorously with your sanitized spoon or whisk.
10. Sprinkle the S-04 yeast packet into the fermenter, and place on the lid. Do not stir.
Place your fermenter in a location with a consistent temperature between 68° and 78° F (20°-25° C), and out of direct sunlight. Ferment for 14 days.
STEP 3: Adding Extras
Adding extras is the process of adding additional ingredients to a beer that will impart more flavor and aroma to your finished brew.
1. On day 10 of fermentation Carefully remove the lid from your fermenter and add in the peppermint extract and vanilla. You will also add the Cocoa Nibs to a sanitized muslin sack. Add in the sack and extracts, then quickly close the lid.
STEP 4: BOTTLING & CARBONATING
After 14 days, taste a small sample to determine if the beer is fully fermented and ready to bottle. If it tastes like flat beer, it is ready. If it’s sweet, then it’s not ready. Let it ferment for 3 more days (14 total). At this point, it is time to bottle. Do not let it sit in the fermenter for longer than 24 days total.
1. When your beer is ready to bottle, fill 3 1-gallon containers with warm water, then split the remaining pack of the No-Rinse Cleanser between them and mix until dissolved. Once dissolved, it is ready to use.
2. Distribute the cleaning solution equally among the bottles. Screw-on caps (or cover with a metal cap if using glass bottles) and shake bottles vigorously. Allow to sit 10 minutes, then shake the bottles again. Remove caps and empty all cleaning solutions into a large bowl. Use this solution to clean any other equipment you may be using for bottling. Do not rinse.
3. Add 2 Carbonation Drops to each 740-mL bottle. For 1-liter bottles, add 2 ½ drops; for ½-liter bottles add 1 drop. Alternatively, you can add table sugar using this table as a guide.
4. Holding the bottle at an angle, fill each bottle to about 2 inches from the bottle’s top.
5. Place caps on bottles, hand tighten, and gently turn the bottle over to check the bottle’s seal. It is not necessary to shake them.
6. Store the bottles upright and out of direct sunlight in a location with a consistent temperature between 70°-76°F or 21°-24°C. Allow sitting for a minimum of 14 days. If the temperature is cooler than suggested it may take an additional week to reach full carbonation.
TIP FROM OUR BREWMASTERS
After the primary carbonation has taken place your beer is ready to drink. We recommend putting 1 bottle in the refrigerator at first for 48 hrs. After 48hrs. give it a try and if it is up to your liking put the rest of your beer in the fridge. If it does not taste quite right, leave the bottles out at room temp for another week or so. Keep following this method until your brew tastes just how you like it.
This process is called conditioning and during this time the yeast left in your beer can help clean up any off-flavors. Almost everything gets a little better with time and so will your beer