Home of the BrewNosers

So it's about that time to start planning for the holidays. What have you brewed in the past and what ideas are you playing with? What flavours capture the holidays?

Last year I made Christmas Cookies (Strong wheat beer with cranberries and clementine zest). Went over well so I might do it again but I want to do a dark beer with maybe some dried fruit and molasses.

I’m hoping my wife will see if she can buy a growler of HPhunter’s imperial stout for a Christmas Eve present, to drink by the fire. I’d rather have that than a fine malt whisky.

Haha. My kids always leave a pint for Santa out of my keezer. That sounds great. Would like to sample that.

I've got a plan to brew something up with cinnamon, star anise, maple syrup, and nutmeg. haven't quite figured out the recipe yet though.

I've got a 2.5 gallon keg of my pumpkin ale that I'm planning to have on tap for the holidays. Will likely add some different spices, maybe some bourbon or rum to make it a bit warmer. Although as it's already 8% ABV that might not be the best idea.

I've made a spruce and spiced winter warmer the last two years. Only have a small bit of spruce tips in the freezer but will probably make something like that again.

Planning to do some sort of a winter warmer, probably start with a chocolaty porter as the base, and lightly spice it with allspice, cinnamon, cloves and orange zest.

Last year I wanted to try making the Christmas spiced beer from the BCS book but I never got around to it. I may have to give that one a go this year.

Just placed an order with dave...I'm making a Chocolate Milk Stout for Christmas.

where would one find lactose???

jacinthebox wrote:Just placed an order with dave...I'm making a Chocolate Milk Stout for Christmas.

where would one find lactose???

Know any drug dealers?

OBK has it : http://www.ontariobeerkegs.com/product_p/lactose.htm

lol...Noble Sells it by the KG...I guess I will have some extra kicking around.

I was hoping Bulk Barn would sell it

pet lion wrote:I've made a spruce and spiced winter warmer the last two years. Only have a small bit of spruce tips in the freezer but will probably make something like that again.

I am really curious about a spruce and spice beer. So do you use tips in place of some hops?

I wonder how lactose would feel in a pumpkin al? Think it would give a creamy character like whip cream on pumpkin pie?

Planning on making an Egg Nog Milk stout, also maybe a wee heavy with a bit of peat?

Barr wrote:

pet lion wrote:I've made a spruce and spiced winter warmer the last two years. Only have a small bit of spruce tips in the freezer but will probably make something like that again.

I am really curious about a spruce and spice beer. So do you use tips in place of some hops?

Sort of? Add them late in the boil. More of a flavouring then a bittering replacement.

James wrote:Planning on making an Egg Nog Milk stout, also maybe a wee heavy with a bit of peat?

You are a wild man!! Let us know how the egg nog stout turns out.

Barr wrote:

pet lion wrote:I've made a spruce and spiced winter warmer the last two years. Only have a small bit of spruce tips in the freezer but will probably make something like that again.

I am really curious about a spruce and spice beer. So do you use tips in place of some hops?

Like Pet Lion said, it is more to add flavour than bittering although if you add enough, you don't worry about it being bitter.
Nothing says Christmas like a nice Spruce Ale.

I might have some spruce tips left over from last spring that I didn't use that Chalmers could bring back when he visits here next time that someone could have.

Ok so this might be a dumb question but can't I just get spruce tips off of a spruce tree here?

Barr wrote:Ok so this might be a dumb question but can't I just get spruce tips off of a spruce tree here?

Pretty sure they should be fresh tips that start in the spring and not those already grown out. Those would probably be too strong, and you want only the tips from the Black Spruce AFAIK.

Ok when it comes to brewing beer with tree parts I'll totally trust the guy who rides a moose. Nothing says master woodsman like that.

^

Best to do spruce beer in the spring with the fresh tips/buds


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jacinthebox wrote:Just placed an order with dave...I'm making a Chocolate Milk Stout for Christmas.

where would one find lactose???

I brewed this up today. Smelled and Tasted awesome so far.
I think we are going to brew it again this weekend. Don't think 5 gal will be enough of this beer to last the holidays.