My first pumpkin ale

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by BrewCrew2010, Aug 8, 2012.

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  1. BrewCrew2010

    BrewCrew2010 Initiate (0) Jul 11, 2010 Mississippi

    This is going to be my first pumpkin ale and I am a little nervous. I want it to taste like all the commercial beers however I don't want the spices to be over the top. Here is my recipe let me know what you guys think!

    12.5 lbs pale malt
    .75 lbs biscuit malt
    .5 lbs 20 L crystal malt
    2 lbs canned 100% pumpkin

    cook the pumpkin for 30 mins at 350F
    mix pumpkin with grain in the mash tun
    mash 1 hr at 154F

    boil for 60 mins
    use Williamette hops for 45 mins
    15 mins left in the boil add irish moss, 1/2 tsp cinnamin, 1/2 tsp clove, 1/2 tsp nutmeg, 1/2 tsp allspice

    O.G. 1.066
    IBU's 38

    2 vanillia sticks in secondary fermenter
     
  2. Ilanko

    Ilanko Initiate (0) Aug 3, 2012 New York

    Love it, please send me a sample
     
  3. mnstorm99

    mnstorm99 Initiate (0) May 11, 2007 Minnesota

    2 vanilla sticks may be too much, I find vanilla to overpower very quickly. I would also probably half the clove, and maybe the allspice to get a better balance between the spices.

    I have never actually used the pumpkin (just the spices), so maybe someone else can comment on how it will contribute to the thickness or mouthfeel on this beer. Something is telling me you may want to mash lower, but I really don't know why. The recipe as is looks good.
     
  4. carteravebrew

    carteravebrew Initiate (0) Jan 21, 2010 Colorado

    I've found that adding pumpkin doesn't do anything. Doesn't change the taste, doesn't add fermentables (that I know of, as long as my efficiency was the same for those batches), and is just an extra step. I would recommend sticking with the spices you have, then adding the same amount to secondary.

    Also, for base malt, I like about 65% Maris Otter and 35% Munich with some Aromatic malt for the specialty. Makes a good base beer to work with.
     
  5. MaxSpang

    MaxSpang Initiate (0) Jan 28, 2011 Ohio
    Trader

    If the pumpkin is added to the mash then it won't really contribute much since it will be mostly converted to simple sugars that will ferment out.

    FWIW, I think the spice additions look good as long as you are expecting a very spice-forward beer. 2 Vanilla sticks may be too much, so I'd taste it regularly after you rack it to secondary until you think it has the right amount of vanilla flavor, then bottle/keg it.
     
  6. carteravebrew

    carteravebrew Initiate (0) Jan 21, 2010 Colorado

    You say too much spice, and I said to double up in the secondary :slight_smile: One of your suggestions sounds like a good compromise. Brew with the spices he has, then if he wants more, add to personal taste in secondary.
     
  7. MaxSpang

    MaxSpang Initiate (0) Jan 28, 2011 Ohio
    Trader

    I didn't really say OP has too much spice, but I brewed a pumpkin beer that had a higher OG that used a similar amount of spices and it was very spice heavy (which was delicious!). I also added 1/2 a tsp of Pumpkin Pie Spice at kegging, though. I was just saying that OP should expect lots of spice in the final product.

    I do like the idea of adding more spice to taste in secondary, though
     
  8. mnstorm99

    mnstorm99 Initiate (0) May 11, 2007 Minnesota

    I would just say, it is easy to overspice. And spices don't really mellow with age.

    This isn't a porter or stout with a big roast flavor to mix the spices...so I would error on the side of caution.
     
  9. BrewCrew2010

    BrewCrew2010 Initiate (0) Jul 11, 2010 Mississippi

    What if i were to add another can of pumpkin to the boil? Would that bring the pumpkin flavor more forward. I guess i am just a little nervous because i dont want it to taste like liquid spices. Thanks for all the advice! Also for the most part does the grain bill look ok?
     
  10. nolabrew

    nolabrew Initiate (0) Apr 20, 2010 Louisiana

    I'll have to look up the pumpkin spice milk stout I brewed last year. I didn't like it but a lot of people seemed to think the spiciness was just right for the sweetness. I tried one a month ago and it's all nutmeg and cinnamon now.
     
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