Mocha porter

[benji]

Looking for advice on a Mocha Porter
"Mocha Porter 20Lt 6.2% EBU 44
5Kg English Maris Otter
240g Chocolate Malt
240g Black Malt
240g Crystal 225 EBC
60g Fuggles @60 min
120g of Costa Rican Coffee added at flameout (20 min steep)
Safale s-04"
I'm looking to add cocoa nibs but I'm not sure how much or when to add, I also have some lactose hanging around and wondering should I add some ?

[auralabuse]

I made a coffee porter before. Also added cocoa into the secondary, it didn't really have the desired effect to be honest. A few lads at the time on here suggested the nibs alright and had had good success. Others soaked them in rum. Sounds nice

[auralabuse]

Btw, it's better to cold brew the coffee and add to secondary. Apparently the beer doesn't turn out as well with hot coffee added

[Kevin O'Roundwood]

Btw, it's better to cold brew the coffee and add to secondary. Apparently the beer doesn't turn out as well with hot coffee added

Is cold brewed coffee coffee that was brewed hot and allowed to cool, or is it coffee that was actually infused in cold water?? I've always wondered...

[auralabuse]

It's infused in cold water, cover and leave overnight for best results

[Kevin O'Roundwood]

Thanks auralabuse, never tried it so it seemed like it wouldn't really work but there ya go!

I'll have to try it some time

[robotmonkey]

For the cacao nibs I've found it best to make a tincture.

1. Steep some of the nibs in the vodka for 3-5 days (depending on how much bitterness you want), add a little vanilla if you want a smoother taste. 
2. Strain out the nibs.
3. Pop in a narrow container and freeze for 24 hours.
4. Remove the hardened fat layer
5. Add tincture to beer before bottling (you won't need loads)

[benji]

Thanks for the tips Robot, just wondering where to get the nibs though.
What quality etc.
I'm hoping to brew this Saturday (17th)

[Bubbles]

A health food shop id probably your best bet. Somewhere like Holland & Barrett.

[robotmonkey]

You can get them in Sainsburys. I got a big bag of them from Amazon though.

[SlugTrap]

It's infused in cold water, cover and leave overnight for best results

Hot brewed coffee is quite acidic - it can be as low as 4 pH for espresso.
Cold brewed gets around this - pH more around 5.5-6.

Could matter, depending on your volumes...

[auralabuse]

It's infused in cold water, cover and leave overnight for best results

Hot brewed coffee is quite acidic - it can be as low as 4 pH for espresso.
Cold brewed gets around this - pH more around 5.5-6.

Could matter, depending on your volumes...

Excellent, I knew cold brewed was desirable but didn't know why

[irish_goat]

Randy Mosher has a bit in Radical Brewing about adding coffee. Pretty sure he recommends cold brewed as well. In saying that, Dungarvan's Coffee and Oatmeal Stout is made with cups of espresso and it's a nice beer, so both methods can definitely work.

[robotmonkey]

I always thought cold brewed coffee was preferred because it extracted less of the oils that affect head retention.

[beerfly]

The main reason for cold brewed coffee is more desirable is it extracts less bitterness and more flavour from the beans. Very similar to dry hopping Vs 60min boil