Honey Flavor Options?

Brew-Happy · 07-02-2008, 05:35 PM

I have noticed several posts lately trying to get a honey flavor in the brew. It seems that using plain honey does not work as well as one would want. I get that it tends to boost abv which dries the beer out. Just looking for options.

Has anyone used powdered honey? Link The reason I ask is that it seems to be an ingredient in my honey green tea. The flavor comes through nicely.

Secondly has anyone used a honey flavoring? (usu. artificial) Link1 Link2

I am trying to write my own recipes for porters and I would like to use honey in one of them.

Thanks.

**Oakwoodforge** · 07-02-2008, 05:58 PM

IMHO Stay away from fake Honey Flavor ! For more honey flavor I'd consider cutting the hops back a touch , using a 1/2 -1 lb of Gambrinus Honey Malt to compliment the honey. Then Get the darker raw honey, local if possible, not just the cheapest stuff on the shelf and add it late in the boil, like at say 5-10 min before flame out. Many commercial honeys have weak flavor from being watered down, filtered and pasteurized to oblivion. Get to know a local bee keeper if you can - every one of them I've met likes home brew

Prost !

Jens

cactusgarrett · 07-02-2008, 07:54 PM

+1 on the Gambrinus. No more than 1lb for 5gal.

Brew-Happy · 07-02-2008, 08:01 PM

Excellent!

Thanks for the Gambrinus info. This will help a lot.

CBBaron · 07-02-2008, 09:09 PM

Dried honey is probably dehydrated honey, which means it still contains the sugar which is why your tea seems to have the flavor.
I'd second the suggestion to avoid artificial flavors. They tend to taste fake.
A dark unfiltered honey will have more flavor than the light filtered product in the grocery. Adding it unheated after fermentation slows will help to keep the flavor. You do not need to heat the honey as it is pretty much sterile. Heating just drives off aromas.
Honey malt is also a great way to enhance the flavor, like chocolate malt enhances the chocolate flavor.
Craig