Pumpkin Beer questions

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by DrMindbender, Aug 20, 2014.

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  1. DrMindbender

    DrMindbender Initiate (0) Jul 13, 2014 South Carolina

    First time brewing a pumpkin beer...I have searched a few threads here on BA and on the AHA forum and read through 20 or so recipes from various sources, but I was just curious on thoughts about using a few things in a Pumpkin recipe. I'm using the basics (grain and hops) found in Pumking (not trying to make an exact clone though, just as the base for the beer) as well as the basic spices like nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves and crystallized ginger. I was curious if anyone has any experience with adding 1) lactose 2) brown sugar 3) honey and 4) vanilla beans to a pumpkin beer. I was thinking about adding 1lb lactose, 1lb brown sugar and 2 vanilla beans soaked for a couple of weeks in 4 oz of either rum or local moonshine to this batch and wanted input if anyone has used these in the past. Didn't know if honey would work better than brown sugar? This is my first time working with vanilla beans (from beanilla.com) too, so any advice is welcome there as well. I'm going for a smooth pumpkin pie flavor (therefore the lactose and brown sugar late/end of the boil and vanilla beans) with a strong spice presence and ABV around 8% in a 5 gallon batch.
    Thanks!
     
    #1 DrMindbender, Aug 20, 2014
  2. OldSock

    OldSock Maven (1,418) Apr 3, 2005 District of Columbia

    I'd suggest holding off on the lactose. There is no reason to add it to the boil. Dose it to taste at bottling/kegging, that way you won't end up with excess sweetness.

    Your vanilla plan is fine. You may want to start by dosing only half of the spirit/vanilla mixture into the fermented beer, tasting, and adding more if desired. I prefer a similar technique with the other spices as well.

    With everything else going on, I'm not sure the brown sugar or honey will add much. Brown sugar, or a smaller amount of molasses could certainly play nicely with the malt and spices. I have a harder time seeing the honey, but it would depend on what varietal you added.

    Rumor is that graham cracker flavoring is the secret ingredient in Pumking, for what it’s worth.
     
    #2 OldSock, Aug 20, 2014
  3. JackHorzempa

    JackHorzempa Grand Pooh-Bah (3,375) Dec 15, 2005 Pennsylvania
    Society Pooh-Bah

    "...graham cracker flavoring..."

    Michael, I presume that is an artificial flavoring?

    Cheers!

    Jack
     
    #3 JackHorzempa, Aug 20, 2014
  4. OldSock

    OldSock Maven (1,418) Apr 3, 2005 District of Columbia

    I assume something like this or this

    "Silver Cloud's Imitation Graham Cracker Extract can be used for baking, beverages (including beer and wine) and ice cream. One teaspoon of this flavoring is sufficient for your typical cake or cookie recipe.

    This flavor contains less than 1/10% artificial flavor ingredients and is considered TTB natural for use in alcoholic beverages.
    Silver Cloud's Imitation Graham Cracker Extract contains ethyl alcohol, glycerin and natural & artificial flavor. This extract is gluten and sugar-free."

    Best dosed to taste at packaging.

     
    #4 OldSock, Aug 20, 2014
    JackHorzempa likes this.
  5. JackHorzempa

    JackHorzempa Grand Pooh-Bah (3,375) Dec 15, 2005 Pennsylvania
    Society Pooh-Bah

    Michael, thank you for that input.

    In an on-going thread in the Beer Talk forum a number of posters have stated that Pumking has an artificial flavor/taste to it. Perhaps the Graham Cracker extract adds to the artificial flavor/taste aspect?

    Cheers!
     
    #5 JackHorzempa, Aug 20, 2014
  6. OldSock

    OldSock Maven (1,418) Apr 3, 2005 District of Columbia

    Certainly could be. Even if most of the ingredients are "naturally" derived, they are often refined from sources other than what the molecules are most associated with (for cost reasons). They are also often a single molecule compared to the real ingredient which may contain dozens.

    I'm a firm believer in using whatever ingredients result in the best finished beer, however in my experience that is usually the most raw/natural products. Seems like many craft brewers are playing with flavorings as they expand.
     
    #6 OldSock, Aug 20, 2014
    bgjohnston likes this.
  7. ThomP

    ThomP Initiate (0) Nov 22, 2007 Texas

    check out the latest BYO, pumpkin on the cover
     
    #7 ThomP, Aug 20, 2014
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  8. AlCaponeJunior

    AlCaponeJunior Grand Pooh-Bah (3,452) May 21, 2010 Texas
    Society Pooh-Bah

    Well you see, On halloween night, The Great Pumpking rises out of the pumpkin patch and flies through the air with a bag of toys for all the children, and beers for their dads and moms. :grinning:

    Now don't let your big sister bully you either. The Great Pumpking is real, and comes on halloween night.

    If you need me, well, I'll be hanging out with your dog. After all, he rides a chopper and flies a Sopwith camel. :sunglasses:

     
    #8 AlCaponeJunior, Aug 21, 2014
    DrMindbender likes this.
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