Brewing Adventures: A Tale of Milk Stout and Maple Syrup
Every homebrewing session is a journey. Some brews follow the recipe to a T, while others take unexpected detours that lead to uncharted territory. My recent adventure with a milk stout brewed in the Brewzilla 3.1 was a little bit of both—a perfect blend of chaos and creativity.
It started like any other brew day. The grain bill was measured, the mash went smoothly, and I added the calculated sparge water. The Brewzilla, my trusted brewing companion, began to heat the wort as I prepared for the boil. But as the boil progressed, I noticed something unusual: not as much water was boiling off as expected.
As the clock ticked and the boil came to an end, I realized I had 7 gallons of wort instead of the traditional 5 gallons. A quick mental calculation revealed that my starting gravity was going to be lower than planned. Panic started to set in. After all, the recipe’s precision is part of what makes homebrewing so satisfying.
Scrambling for a solution, I searched through my pantry for a fermentable addition that could save the day. That’s when I spotted it: maple syrup. Sweet, rich, and entirely unexpected, it seemed like the perfect way to boost my starting gravity. I added it to the wort, knowing it would alter the flavor profile but excited to see where this new twist would take the brew.
With the maple syrup addition, I hit the intended gravity number. The batch was now a maple milk stout, a delicious-sounding deviation from the original plan. But the surprises didn’t stop there.
The original recipe called for an addition of chocolate syrup before kegging. Now faced with 7 gallons of beer instead of 5, I had to make a decision. With only 4 ounces of chocolate syrup on hand, I opted to split the batch. Five gallons remained as a pure maple milk stout, and the remaining 2 gallons became a chocolate maple milk stout with 1.5 ounces of chocolate syrup added.
Both versions are now carbonating, and I’m counting down the days until they’re ready to serve. While the final verdict is still out, I’m optimistic that this accidental adventure will yield something truly special.
This experience was a reminder of why I love homebrewing: the unpredictability, the problem-solving, and the joy of creating something uniquely my own. It’s about adapting when things don’t go as planned and celebrating the happy accidents that lead to new flavors and styles.
Whether the maple milk stout becomes a new favorite or just a fun experiment, it’s a brew with a story. And really, isn’t that what homebrewing is all about?
Cheers to the unexpected, and happy brewing!
