Winter Vanilla Porter (beer kit + grain recipe)

A lovely winter warmer, best enjoyed beside a roaring fire. Makes 20 litres. Estimated ABV: about 5.4%.

Ingredients

• 1 Porter beer kit
• 1 tin of light Liquid Malt Extract (LME)
• 250g medium crystal malt (50-60°L)
• 250g quick cooking oatmeal (e.g. Bokomo or Jungle Oats; but do NOT use instant oatmeal)
• 1 tbsp (15ml) vanilla essence
• 15g East Kent Goldings hops
• 15g Fuggles hops
• 1 packet English Ale yeast

Method

Heat a large pot of water (5-10L) to 75°C and add the crushed grains and the oatmeal to it, optionally using a grain steeping bag. Maintain temperature between 60 and 68°C (do NOT exceed 70°) and steep for 45 minutes. Strain into a pot and boil for 30 minutes WITHOUT THE LID ON THE POT. Five minutes before the end of the boil add both types of hop pellets. Remove from heat and add vanilla essence.

Cool rapidly (e.g. by placing the pot into a sink filled with cold water or ice). Add the beer kit, liquid malt extract and the cooled wort to the fermenter, leaving the spent hops and other solids behind in the pot. Top up with cold water to 20 litres. Pitch the fermentis yeast and let ferment usual. Discard the yeast supplied with the beer kit or put it aside for use with another brew. Let ferment as usual and bottle. Let mature for at least 4 weeks.

(Note: while we have taken care to check this recipe for accuracy, we can take no responsibility for any errors that might have slipped through. Check when in doubt.)