Cascade Vodka

[Stitch]

Just looking for some feedback. I made some hop vodka last September by steeping pellet cascade hops in vodka and then pressing out using a French press. I then used the pellets for bittering in a beer and used the vodka for flavor and aroma.

Believe it or not it turn out very well. I had brought it to a Beoir mettup and it got a good response.

I subsequently used the hop vodka in a beer that I had in november/start of december simply to change the profile half way through. It was a blonde ale a was getting a bit bland half way through the keg so 30ml of cascade vodka changed the beer completely.


So the question is do you guys think the cascade vodka is still safe to use 6/7 months on or should I simply pour it away???


I have a porter I did and am not to found of it so some hops may make it more drinkable. 

[Tom]

What does it taste like with a mixer? And don't tell me you haven't tried such a girly drink.

[Rossa]

The hop oils will probably degrade over time but I would think it won't kill you.. Disclaimer : I am not an expert.
Was it nice?

[Stitch]

Yeah it was nice. Gives a good idea about hop flavor and aroma. Got the idea from basic brewing radio episode. The way I see it the alcohol in the vodka and the hop properties probably makes it ok to drink. I will have to open it later and check the aroma, might even mix some into a glass with a porter I have see how it goes. Thanks

[Greg2013]

I would imagine that the vodka would preserve the oils a good bit longer than normal. Good vodka that's several years old is still good to drink. You will not get an infection but the oils may degrade with time. Personally I would not leave it any longer than a year.

[Tom]

But you wouldn't have to worry about sunstrike because the acids aren't isomerised. A perfect summer drink. I might try it, especially seeing as I don't start fights with Vodka, [size=8]which is more than can be said for the crattur.[/size]

[LordEoin]

You should be fine.
Like Sloe gin, once the ingredients have been removed from the booze the flavor 'should' keep pretty well or even improve.

I do the same kinda thing but with water and make them into ice cubes.
Obviously the fact they're frozen helps, but they're super convenient and tasty.

it's a good way to test combinations of hops, or to just improve cheap pisswater.

[Stitch]

You should be fine.
Like Sloe gin, once the ingredients have been removed from the booze the flavor 'should' keep pretty well or even improve.

I do the same kinda thing but with water and make them into ice cubes.
Obviously the fact they're frozen helps, but they're super convenient and tasty.

it's a good way to test combinations of hops, or to just improve cheap pisswater.

That was why I had tried it. If you make a brew you are not mad about then you can always transform it to something else!!

[LordEoin]

yup yup, or if you just want to satisfy curiosity without dedicating a full brew to a combination