Recipe Critique

[Sparrow]

Hoping to get some Borg input on an extract/steep brew I want to knock out this weekend.
Kinda looking for something darkish (but not too dark), with some roasty/wintery goodness to it.

Thanks for looking.

Style: Generic Ale
Batch: 2.40 galExtract

Characteristics
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Recipe Gravity: 1.062 OG
Recipe Bitterness: 35 IBU
Recipe Color: 32° SRM
Estimated FG: 1.015
Alcohol by Volume: 6.0%
Alcohol by Weight: 4.7%

Ingredients
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Chocolate Malt (US)- [Chocolate, Coffee, Nutty, Toasted]0.12 lb, Grain, Steeped
Crystal 60L - [Body, Caramel, Head, Sweet]0.25 lb, Grain, Steeped
Special "B" (Belgian) 0.50 lb, Grain, Steeped
Briess LME - Munich 2.50 lb, Extract, Extract
Briess LME - Traditional Dark 1.00 lb, Extract, Extract
Candi Sugar, Dark (Belgian) 0.25 lb, Sugar, Other

Cluster - Bittering and flavor/aroma with clean, neutral, somewhat floral bitterness0.50 oz, Pellet, 60 minutes
Saaz (Czech) - Noble hop variety. Very spicy, cinnamon-like and earthy. recommended for Bohemian Pilsners and German and American Lagers0.50 oz, Pellet, 20 minutes
Goldings (U.S.) - Aroma and dry hop intensely resiny, candy-like, sweet, slightly floral and spicy0.25 oz, Pellet, 10 minutes

Orange Peel, Sweet 1.00 unit, Spice,
Wyeast 1007 - German Ale™ 1.00 unit, Yeast, Temperature Range: 55°-68° F (ABV 11%) Low Floculation - Attenuation: 73-77%

[philm00x]

It's looking like a dubbel/porter hybrid that could make for a nice winter warmer! Cluster does have a very neutral bitterness. I think you'll have a soft aroma from the hops, but the grains will be at the front of the nose, as well as the flavor being mostly malty.

[Sparrow]

Thanks Phil, that sounds pretty much like what I was going for. Who knew?!?

[philm00x]

You're welcome, Sparrow! I say brew it up! I'd love to know how it turns out.

[mashani]

I believe I would drink that.

[FedoraDave]

I really like the malt bill. I think this will be a terrific winter ale!

Keep us posted on the results, and take meticulous notes. If you hit a home run with it, you'll want to make it again, and if you want to make tweaks, you'll have a good grounding on what you may want to change.

[Sparrow]

Thanks for support Mashani and Dave.
Going to hit the LHBS today to stock up. Between brewing this and attending the Virginia Beach Craft Brew fest its going to be a great beer weekend.

[FedoraDave]

Thanks for support Mashani and Dave.
Going to hit the LHBS today to stock up. Between brewing this and attending the Virginia Beach Craft Brew fest its going to be a great beer weekend.

Nice! Have a great time at the festival.