Adding grapefruit peel to secondary?

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by Keithp3939, Mar 12, 2015.

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  1. Keithp3939

    Keithp3939 Initiate (0) Jan 3, 2015 Connecticut

    So I have a bag of grapefruit peel that I would like to add to my beer at some point. I'm making a pale ale, and I've added about 5 grapefruit chunks during the boil and flameout, but wanted to know how I should add it to the secondary. I'm making a 5 gallon batch and have a bag of about 4 ounces of grapefruit peel. I was thinking about soaking half of it in vodka and adding it to the secondary and wanted some advice!
     
    #1 Keithp3939, Mar 12, 2015
  2. inchrisin

    inchrisin Pooh-Bah (2,013) Sep 25, 2008 Indiana
    Pooh-Bah

    I didn't know they sold grapefruit peel. What does it taste like? I'd start by adding it like orange peel. 1 oz is plenty for a typical 5 oz batch. Vodka be damned. Add it directly to the last minute of the boil or into late primary/secondary.

    *I don't like vodka.
     
    #2 inchrisin, Mar 12, 2015
  3. PapaGoose03

    PapaGoose03 Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,057) May 30, 2005 Michigan
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    I think that I've read that the peel can give a stale bitterness more than a grapefruit flavor, so the best way is probably to scrape some zest from the peels and make a tincture with vodka, or just add the zest directly to the beer. I can't tell you how much of either method to add, but a tincture will give you the option of adding at the time of packaging, and you can add just enough to taste rather than taking a chance of overdoing it.
     
    #3 PapaGoose03, Mar 12, 2015
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  4. Theortiz01

    Theortiz01 Initiate (0) Jun 7, 2013 Texas

    Zest has worked well for me in the past, an ounce is plenty. Don't need a tincture. Just added it after primary fermentation is complete.
     
    #4 Theortiz01, Mar 12, 2015
  5. Gary_Oak

    Gary_Oak Initiate (0) May 5, 2015 Connecticut

    You should grade it and then make a tea with it because sometimes the peel can taste much different from the fruit for example the peel of the bergamot Orange is what's used in earl grey tea for its bitter flavor
     
    #5 Gary_Oak, May 6, 2015
  6. bostonwolf

    bostonwolf Zealot (656) Jan 20, 2015 Massachusetts

    This. I made some limoncello a while back and got a bit too much pith, it ended up very bitter and not in a good way.
     
    #6 bostonwolf, May 6, 2015
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