Gingerbread stout ideas

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by RabbleRouser, Nov 7, 2016.

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  1. RabbleRouser

    RabbleRouser Initiate (0) Oct 29, 2016 Illinois

    To all it may concern, I have decided to brew a holiday stout for Christmas this year. As the title indicates I got the idea to attempt to impart a Gingerbread flavor into the beer. My problem is that i'm having trouble finding example recipes to clue me into what kind of spices to add to the boil-or to fermentation- that will give me such a flavor. Furthermore, I am skeptical as to whether so many spices should be added to a smaller sized batch, as I intend on brewing about 2-3 gallons. Any help or tips would be greatly appreciated.

    Cheers,
    RabbleRouser
     
    #1 RabbleRouser, Nov 7, 2016
  2. CADETS3

    CADETS3 Initiate (0) Dec 3, 2014 Texas

    Numbers for 5 gallon batch:
    24 fluid ounces of molasses @10 minutes
    2 teaspoons cinnamon @0
    1.5 teaspoon (ground) ginger @0
    1.25 teaspoon (ground) clove @0
    Tasted identical to ginger bread. That's what I do for my Christmas ale. I'll probably add another can or two of molasses at high krausen to get more molasses residual flavor since the yeast burns right through it. When I made this last year, I didn't use enough molasses and I had to backsweeten it at kegging time to really get the molasses flavor found in gingerbread, the star of the show.
     
    #2 CADETS3, Nov 7, 2016
  3. inchrisin

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

    Did you have any trouble with the molasses not dissolving in the keg?
     
    #3 inchrisin, Nov 7, 2016
  4. CADETS3

    CADETS3 Initiate (0) Dec 3, 2014 Texas

    Well it definitely didn't dissolve 100% into the entire beer but I believe it did good enough. I did boil the hell out of it with a little bit a water to try and thin it out a bit.
     
    #4 CADETS3, Nov 7, 2016
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  5. RabbleRouser

    RabbleRouser Initiate (0) Oct 29, 2016 Illinois

    Thanks for the tips. Every recipe I've seen looked more like a pumpkin ale with molasses than what i'd imagine gingerbread beer would taste like. I'm going for a gingerbread flavor at the end of the beer, combined with a nice roasty, creamy stout. I thought an oatmeal stout with the added spices would do the trick.
     
    #5 RabbleRouser, Nov 7, 2016
  6. CADETS3

    CADETS3 Initiate (0) Dec 3, 2014 Texas

     
    #6 CADETS3, Nov 7, 2016
  7. crcostel

    crcostel Initiate (0) Feb 26, 2006 Illinois

    If you look at a list of ingredients, Gingerbread really isn't all that off from Pumpkin Spice. But, in addition to adding molasses, the ratios are altered. In PS the cinnamon has priority vs the ginger in gingerbread. It makes a difference. Try using fresh ginger vs the ground.
     
    #7 crcostel, Nov 7, 2016
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