Mesquite charcoal in secondary?

**Beerbeque** · 04-09-2009, 01:31 AM

I know that a lot of guys have used oak chips in their beer and I know that many whiskeys are filtered through charcoal, so I was thinking of putting some chips of natural lump mesquite charcoal in my fermenter for a special flavor. Do you think this would impart a nice flavor to my beer? Mesquite charcoal sure gives my steaks a nice flavor.

**GreenwoodRover** · 04-09-2009, 01:33 AM

As an experiment, try pouring a beer over one into a glass. Sip it see if you enjoy. Somehow I doubt you will.

**Yooper** · 04-09-2009, 01:34 AM

What's the charcoal taste like? If it tastes like, well, charcoal, that's how the beer will taste.

**beerthirty** · 04-09-2009, 01:39 AM

I say no. Mesquite is a very strong and resinous flavored wood. Not sure if I would want that in my beer. Charcoal is used to strip flavor, I sure don't want that in my beer.

**Yuri_Rage** · 04-09-2009, 01:45 AM

Instead, try smoking some malt with mesquite. There are some threads on home smoked malt in the AG or Recipe/Ingredient forums.

**beerthirty** · 04-09-2009, 01:58 AM

Good idea Yuri. I think I would still keep the smoke to a minimum due to the strength of mesquite. I would like to taste something other than the charcoal.