Oatmeal stout

Although unusual for an English-style ale, a step mash will work well for this beer. In your kettle, heat 12 quarts (11 L) of water to 133 °F (56 °C). Mix hot water and grains in your kettle and mash in to 122 °F (50 °C). (This is a thick mash at this point.) Let mash stand for 30 minutes. In a large kitchen pot, heat 5 quarts (~5 L) of water to a boil and stir this into mash after initial rest. (Now the mash with be at a “normal” thickness for an infusion mash.) Then, add direct heat to the kettle to bring mash to 154 °F (68 °C).

Let mash rest for 45 minutes. Heat mash to 170 °F (77 °C), transfer mash to lauter tun and let rest for 5 minutes (to settle). Recirculate wort until clear, then begin running off wort. Heat sparge water to point that grain bed temperature remains around 168 °F (76 °C) during sparge. Collect 6 gallons (23 L) of wort. Bring wort to a boil. Once hot break forms, add hops and boil for 60 minutes.

Add Irish moss with 15 minutes left in boil. Cool wort and transfer to fermenter. (You should have 5 gallons/19 L at this point.) Aerate wort and pitch yeast. Ferment at 70 °F (21 °C).