National Homebrew Club Ireland

General Discussions => Brewing Communities => Belfast Homebrewers => Topic started by: BrewBilly on August 05, 2013, 07:49:49 AM

Title: Experimental Christmas Ale
Post by: BrewBilly on August 05, 2013, 07:49:49 AM
So Chaps

I got on an experimental brew for Christmas, hopefully its ready by then. Here is my recipe:

500g light DME
100g Crystal Malt
1 Jar Honey
15g Fuggles @ 60mins
12g Fuggles @ 30mins
12g Fuggles@ 5mins
2 teabag type Schwatz Mulled wine spice steeped for about 5mins/to taste

Safale US-05
Brewing to 1gal Demijohn
OG about 1070 (I hope the yeast can cope with the high alcohol content.

Looked and smelt great, looking forfard to December get together.

Cheers
BrewBilly - aka Andy
Title: Re: Experimental Christmas Ale
Post by: sub82 on August 05, 2013, 02:52:33 PM
Sounds good man! Was there much of the mulled spice flavour?
Title: Re: Experimental Christmas Ale
Post by: davybarman on August 05, 2013, 03:47:33 PM
Sounds nice. Not one a fan of xmas spices though.

My xmas brew is a choc stout. Hoping by December it will have mellowed well and be very drinkable. Was thinking of starting an Imperial Stout for 2014.

You got a xmas brew on sub
Title: Re: Experimental Christmas Ale
Post by: BrewBilly on August 05, 2013, 07:56:45 PM
Quote from: sub82 on August 05, 2013, 02:52:33 PM
Sounds good man! Was there much of the mulled spice flavour?

Hey Chris

There was a good flavour of spice, I made sure that it wasn't overpowering, only steeped it for less than 5mins. All in all, good flavour profile, malty/hoppiness nicely balanced. Should have conditioned nicely by the December meet.
Title: Re: Experimental Christmas Ale
Post by: sub82 on August 05, 2013, 09:13:44 PM
Hi Davy - yeah we made a strong ale/barley wine last february for this xmas. Had a bottle last saturday and it seems to be conditioning well.

Andy - that sounds good! Will look forward to trying it.
Title: Re: Experimental Christmas Ale
Post by: CB_Phil on August 06, 2013, 08:00:49 AM
Sounds interesting, ave plenty of mulled spice tea from last year, so might be away of putting some of it to use
Title: Re: Experimental Christmas Ale
Post by: stanwellback on August 12, 2013, 03:10:53 PM
I have the exact same spices from last Christmas never used them, but was thinking of maybe using them like a dry hop.  Adding them to either a woodforde wherry or admirals reserved in the last week of fermenting. Steep them in hot water then add to the fv, so very interested to see someone else using them.
Title: Re: Experimental Christmas Ale
Post by: iain_todd on August 21, 2013, 03:55:22 PM
I should really get an ale on for Christmas. Sub and I have invested in the wee mini-kegs, so considering brewing a nice brown ale and bringing it up to my gf's family house on Xmas day.

Probably end up drinking most of it myself...