Since I don’t currently have any way of controlling my fermentation temperatures, I tend to lean toward using Saison yeast for it’s higher temperature range. I keep my thermostat around 75 degrees at home and that usually gives me a fermentation temperature of around 78 degrees. Since the holidays and cooler temperatures are approaching I decided to try my hand at a dark Saison; something with cinnamon, vanilla and spice flavors that we can enjoy on a cold night on the balcony. This will also be my first time brewing with my igloo mash tun, as well as my first batch over 1 gallon.
Saison de Noel (Dark Winter Saison)
Numbers
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Batch Size: 3 gal
Estimated OG: 1.077
Estimated FG: 1.013
Estimated IBU (tinseth): 29.4
Boil Time: 60 minutes
Equipment
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5 gallon igloo cooler mash tun
9 gallon Bayou Classic pot
Electric stovetop
Grain
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(73%) 7 lb 10 oz Belgian Pilsen
(13%) 1 lb 5.2 oz Crystal 120L
(6%) 10.6 oz Light Munich
(3%) 5.3 oz Vienna Malt
(3%) 5.3 oz Light Wheat Malt
(2%) 2.7 oz Carafa II
Hops
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0.98 oz East Kent Goldings (5.6 Alpha) – 60 minutes
0.65 oz Czech Saaz (2.8 Alpha) – 20 minutes
Yeast
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WLP566 Belgian Saison II (0.5 L Starter from Red Eye Breakfast Stout)
Other Stuff
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Pure vanilla extract – 3 TBSP
Cinnamon stick – 1 stick
Water
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City of Houston tap water
Mash Schedule
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152 F for 60 minutes
Batch sparged 168 F
Brew Journal
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10/20/16 – Brew day. First batch over 1 gallon and first batch with my igloo mash tun. Started the mash at 151 and ended at 150 an hour later. Runnings clear after a few quarts. Sparged once with 170 F water. Boiled what I think was about 4.25 gallons for 60 minutes. First running gravity was 1.093 and the pre boil gravity was 1.071. Pitched a starter of WLP566 Saison II from my Red Eye Breakfast Stout. Fermentation started within 3 hours of pitching.
10/30/16 – Gravity 1.011. Racked into 3 gallon PET secondary. Added 3 tbsp pure vanilla extract and 1 cinnamon stick.
12/7/16 – Bottling day. Bottled 22 12 oz bottles and 1 22 oz bomber.
12/15/16 – Tasting. Slightly opaque. Dark brown, clean and no haze. Good carbonation with small, tight bubbles that last. Very slight cinnamon and pretty much no vanilla flavor. Will add 2 cinnamon sticks next time. I’ll also use vanilla beans next time instead of extract.
2/19/16 – Still have some bottles left. Need to taste and see if anything has changed.