Christmas ale

[Sean P]

I was planning on brewing a dark Xmas ale with spices but haven't ever added spice to my beer before
This is the grain bill so far

Maris otter 5 kilograms
Crystal 0.5 kilograms
Barley (Flaked)0.25 kilograms
Chocolate 0.25 kilograms
Oats (Flaked) 0.2 kilograms
Black. 50 g

25 g target @ 90
25 g fugges @ 10

Nottingham yeast

Has anyone got advice on what spices to add and when, so far I'm considering cloves, cinnamon orange zest

[greenxpaddy]

End of boil

Go easy on the quantities.

Recipe looks fine.

[dedken]

An alternative method is to steep whatever spices you're going to use in some Vodka and add to secondary.

[Sean P]

Thanks for the advice went for additions at end of boil and let them steep for about 30min
Added zest of an orange, two cloves and 1/2 tsp of Ginger and a cinnamon stick. It's been in the FV since Sunday and still smells great

[dedken]

Sounds good, enjoy.

[AdyG]

Sounds great, may give this a go myself but I might go for 20 pint half batch.

I'm assuming this is a 23 litre brew?

[wjohnson12321]

Just jumpin in on this thread wanting to do a Christmas beer and saw this recipe. Do you guys think using something like Safbrew T-58 would add some christmassy clovey spicyness or do you think it would just get drowned?

[seymour]

Just jumpin in on this thread wanting to do a Christmas beer and saw this recipe. Do you guys think using something like Safbrew T-58 would add some christmassy clovey spicyness or do you think it would just get drowned?

That's possibly the best yeast you could use for this sort of thing.

[wjohnson12321]

Excellent cas I just ordered some. Just need to get some hops sorted out now

[jaroporter]

i used wlp023 for my winter brew. first time i've used it, was completely seduced by the pear esters..

mmmm cold winters with hot spicy pears and stiff drinks..

[seymour]

...mmmm cold winters with hot spicy pears and stiff drinks..

Hells yeah, a merry Christmas indeed!!! Check it out:

Glazed Pears with Blanche de Chambly
http://www.unibroue.com/en/beers/recipe/21

[jaroporter]

dude, that is awesome.

i had read about the honey esters of 023 as well, but now i wanna go chuck a jar of maple syrup in the FV!

hmmmm..

[AdyG]

I've just done a similar christmas beer brew based on this type of recipe. I used cloves, cinnamon, ginger and orange zest and it has definitely given it a Christmassy taste. I've just bottled it so will wait 4 weeks to taste properly. I did a half batch which gave me about 15 pint bottles, but at a OG of 1070 FV 1018 it will be quite strong.

[greenxpaddy]

I've just done a similar christmas beer brew based on this type of recipe. I used cloves, cinnamon, ginger and orange zest and it has definitely given it a Christmassy taste. I've just bottled it so will wait 4 weeks to taste properly. I did a half batch which gave me about 15 pint bottles, but at a OG of 1070 FV 1018 it will be quite strong.

Don't forget to leave one on the mantelpiece for Santa.

[AdyG]

I've just done a similar christmas beer brew based on this type of recipe. I used cloves, cinnamon, ginger and orange zest and it has definitely given it a Christmassy taste. I've just bottled it so will wait 4 weeks to taste properly. I did a half batch which gave me about 15 pint bottles, but at a OG of 1070 FV 1018 it will be quite strong.

Don't forget to leave one on the mantelpiece for Santa.

Judging by how quickly my most recent beers have been drunk, I would be surprised if there was any left by Christmas Eve!