NBC 2013 CAT 7 HM - Black IPA

[delzep]

2.5kg Light DME (added to boil at 30 mins)
1.1kg Maris otter pale malt
0.5kg Carafa III Special
0.2kg flaked wheat
50g Cascade @ 60mins
50g Citra @ 60mins
25g Cascade @ 15mins
US-05 Yeast

I partial boiled about 12 litres and topped up to 23 litres.

OG=1.054
FG=1.013
5.4% ABV

Scored 43/50 at the competition. Scoresheet attached

[Taf]

Congratulations on the HM! Couple of questions for you. At what point did you add the carafa 3, in with the regular mash, as part of the sparge or cold steep? Also, when did you brew it? As I find that the hoppiness of my black IPA's often fades and is overtaken by the dark malts, so I often end up with more of a hoppy porter!

[delzep]

Thanks. I do partial mash and partial boil. I mashed all the grains in 4.5 litres of water for 45 mins at about 74C (which brings the mash temp down to 66/67C), then allow to drain and soak the grains in 4.5 litres of water at 80C for 10 mins. I think I brewed it around early November last or thereabouts. Brewed it twice actually....second time I upped the Carafa III Special by about 100g or so. Make sure its Carafa III Special and not Carafa III as I believe the special is less of a harsh roastiness which works very well