US-05 too dry for a bitter, fancy that

[Mark Weusten]

Sometimes even though its repeated on the net you still have to try yourself. I did two english bitters one with a Mangrove Jacks Burton Union yeast and the second with US-05. Basically everything came out as expected the Burton Union is nice but as the US-05 has highlighted the hops and not presented the malt at all, I am left with a thin over hopped brew. My question is, this beer is still in the fermenter and has finished at 1010 (OG 1048) is there a non fermentable I can add which would bring up the malt?

[Ralph]

I like MJs Burton Union in bitters.

You can add Maltodextrin which will add body in a manner similar to the unfermentables that you get in beer if you mash too high. It may ferment a little depending on the DE equivilent. It will add a little sweetness, but it should not be too much. 

[Mark Weusten]

Thanks for the suggestion Ralph.

[Jamie McQuillan]

What's your water profile? I am wondering if you could add a little Sodium which apparently accentuates malt sweetness at 70 - 150 ppm (as long as your sulphates are not too high). I have had a couple of brews go that low with US-O5. I like dry but not thin. A little sodium and raising the mash temp a bit seems to work well. Interested to hear what others might say. 

[Mark Weusten]

In Waterview which I imagine gets water from the Waitakere's. I couldnt tell you the precise profile.....

[Jamie McQuillan]

Probably the best thing I did to improve my beer was get a water analysis report and not just for pH reasons. A little Calcium apparently helps with fulness of flavour too. Anyway, that was just an idea. I bet Ralph's suggestion works.

[Mark Weusten]

thanks for the input. Any ideas on the quantity of Maltodextrin for  a 23 litre batch?

[Chris]

I'm just starting to think about water. Where did you get your water analysis done?

[Jamie McQuillan]

I was lucky to get mine from my local brewery :-) But I had looked into it and these these guys will do it. I can't be sure but think it will cost  $70-100. http://www.hill-laboratories.com

Ideally you want to know these things

Ca

SO4 

Mg

Na  

Cl  

CO3

Hardness 

Alkalinity 

pH

[Chris]

Thanks for the information. I'll look into it.

[Ralph]

One way to figure quantity is to get a measured amount (250mls?) and add to taste or until you reach the desired SG on the hydrometer...