Sorachi SMASH / Saison - ideas?

[FlimFlamFlo]

Does anyone have an opinion on using Sorachi Ace in a SMASH pale ale or (maybe) a SH Saison?

I've got a stash looking for a home but want to brew something I could bottle and potentially serve by Oct 29th... (which kind of rules out the Saison). Can't remember where I saw the Saison recipe, it's half scribbled in my notebook and I think it might be half-assed.

I'm still a total rookie at calculating hop quantities, so any advice on the below recipe would be appreciated :-)

SMASH
4.54 kg pale ale malt
California Ale / American Ale
Sorachi Ace (14.9% AA): 28g @ 60 ; 21g @ 20 ; 21g at flame out.
Target fg 5.4%


Saison
5.45kg belgian pilsener
French Saison yeast
Sorachi Ace (14.9%) 14g @ 60 ; 14g @ 30 ; 25g flameout >>> maybe dry hop near f/g
target f/g 5.4%

Is this a bad idea? Would I be better off drinking the juice from the jar of gherkins in my fridge?!

[darren996]

Either look good to me, especially the saison I think sorachi would go well with 3711 French saison, maybe add some carapills or caravienne. I like the idea of a flameout addition.  Go for it and let us know how it turns out

[darren996]

Have a look, sounds delish..
http://brooklynbrewery.com/brooklyn-beers/big-bottles/sorachi-ace

[FlimFlamFlo]

Nice one, thanks Darren :-) Will give it a whirl.

How much carapils/vienne would you be thinking? 500g?

Don't want to go full pickle on it, so 21g at flameout's probably enough? I guess I can always dry hop if it needs a lift before bottling?

Thanks again, flim.

[garciaBernal]

I wouldn't bother with the carapils or vienne. Made a saison with pils malt and Sorachi Ace and 5 to 10% wheat(more if you like) but no speciality malts to disrupt the FG. Added some table sugar to the boil to dry it out too. Mash low about 65 and ferment high in the mid 20's and you're laughing.

[FlimFlamFlo]

Thanks Garcia - have some wheat leftover too, so in it goes.

How much sugar would you go for? About 500g? At what point in the boil - like 10/15 mins before the end?

[garciaBernal]

I usually go for between 300g and 500g and you can add it whenever to the boil. 15 minutes before the end is fine. Sorachi and Saisons I could drink forever. Enjoy it! 

[darren996]

I would go for 300g of cara if you like saison DuPont style saison