The results are in with Gladfield's Supernova malt but I also managed to conduct my own mini brew-xperiment along the way. So here it is:
Recipe Specifications
--------------------------
Boil Size: 56.40 l
Post Boil Volume: 46.17 l
Batch Size (fermenter): 44.2 l
Bottling Volume: 42.1 l
Estimated OG: 1.059 SG
Estimated Color: 16.6 SRM
Estimated IBU: 37.3 IBUs
Brewhouse Efficiency: 80.00 %
Est Mash Efficiency: 93.3 %
Boil Time: 90 Minutes
Ingredients:
------------
Amt Name Type # %/IBU
9.00 kg Pale Malt (2 Row) UK (2.5 SRM) Grain 1 80.0 %
1.50 kg Munich Malt - 20L (15.0 SRM) Grain 2 13.3 %
0.50 kg Gladfield Supernova - 40L (50.0 SRM) Grain 3 4.4 %
0.25 kg Chocolate Malt (450.0 SRM) Grain 4 2.2 %
100.00 g Goldings, East Kent [5.10 %] - First Wor Hop 5 33.0 IBUs
40.00 g Goldings, East Kent [5.10 %] - Boil 10.0 Hop 6 4.3 IBUs
2.0 pkg SafAle English Ale (DCL/Fermentis #S-04) Yeast 7 -
Mash Schedule: BIAB, Medium Body
Total Grain Weight: 11.25 kg
----------------------------
Name Description Step Temperat Step Time
Saccharification Add 63.27 l of water at 70.6 C 66.7 C 75 min
Mash Out Heat to 75.6 C over 7 min 75.6 C 10 min
I finally brewed this ESB but note I ramped the sulphate content up to about 400ppm, added two campden tablets and used irish moss for finings. I also ended up splitting the batch into two; one fermented in the chamber at 18 degrees and the other fermented at ambient without temperature control around 22 degrees. Fermentation for both batches was quick - very quick. Active, bubbling fermentation was complete after approximately 30 hours in both batches, maybe 4 or 5 hours longer for the batch in the chamber at 18 degrees.
The temperature controlled batch was left in the primary for 10 days total after which it was cold crashed for 2 days with gelatin added at 3 degrees. This was then racked to the keg with the remainder bottled. This was crashed first as the fermentation chamber is also my cold crashing device.
The ambient batch was left in the primary for 12 days total after which it was also cold crashed for 2 days with gelatin added at 3 degrees. This was then racked to the other keg with the remainder bottled.
Tasting notes:
Temperature Controlled: The bitterness is evident but not overpowering with a good deal of malt. It's caramelly and malty without ever getting that super sweetness that you can get from using too much crystal. I have added too much crystal before and I find the sweetness has overpowered the other malt flavours.
Ambient: The malt profile seems to be somewhat less pronounced and the bitterness is less well-rounded. It is a slightly less appetizing beer compared to the temperature controlled version. Both of the brews look the same and there will be blind tastings coming up for my friends so I will report back once complete.
In the future I could add a little bit more on the bittering hops side but not too much. I believe the Supernova malt has added the caramel flavours without too much sweetness (it does as the label says....surprise surprise). I think overall this is a well balanced beer and I will most likely have to re-brew before winter as I don't think this will last. The beer is young but it is perfectly drinkable now, particularly the temp controlled version. Would I use the Gladfield Supernova malt again? you betcha.
No affiliation with Gladfield, just a fanboy......of their Supervnova malt (now)