Almond Joy

mjrtom · 11-19-2010, 12:57 AM

Hallo everybody!

I'm pretty new to brewing, and have only brewed a few extract ales. I've done them all from recipe, changing just a few things here and there. Now I plan to continue extract brewing until I find the time and the money to embark on the wonders of all grain.

I was wondering if anybody has a good extract recipe for an "Almond Joy" porter. I've seen a few recipes for coconut beers, and it seems like these flavors are all added during the secondary. Mostly done through store bought extracts or homemade extracts (soaking vanilla/coconut/coffee in vodka). I would like to stay away from store bought extracts, but any ideas are more than welcome.

So yea, if anyone has a recipe, or has the know how and want to just share with me an off the cuff recipe (I think I used that saying correctly?), please do. It will be greatly appreciated (and if you live in the San Diego area I'll bring you a six pack).

Hopefully I can get a good Almond Joy brew ready just in time for Christmas!

Thanks

**powerfreak** · 11-19-2010, 04:22 AM

I took a bronze with my Toasted Coconut Macadamia Porter using an extract recipe and a pound of toasted coconut in the secondary fermenter. The judges sheets said not enough of the base porter flavors come through, but the coconut certainly does. I have a couple of friends who love that beer and have it as a desert beer, when I have any to share.

Taking the judges notes as a consideration, I did an all-grain version which I bottled about two weeks ago. Same pound of toasted coconut. I've had one bottle that was 8 days out from bottling (I like to sample early to gauge how the beer matures) and the coconut is there, but the porter does indeed come through more. I'm stoked.

The coconut flakes are toasted for 20-25 minutes or so at 275-300 depending on your oven. Mine was golden to medium brown when done. You need to stir the coconut every 5-10 minutes to get it to brown evenly.

For the almond flavor, I've had a lot of success with extracts on other beers, so that's the route I'd go. I used a macadamia extract from Fairie's Finest (http://www.faeriesfinest.com/extracts.html) in mine. I don't see why a store bought almond extract wouldn't do just as well.

mjrtom · 11-19-2010, 06:26 AM

dang that sounds great. did you put the toasted coconut in one of those hop bags? as for the extract, do you add that in the bottling bucket with your priming sugars?

thanks for the ideas.

**powerfreak** · 11-19-2010, 01:07 PM

No, I racked the beer over it in the secondary.

First time, I used a 5 gallon carboy and it was WAY full, as the coconut took all leftover headspace and expands with the added moisture of the beer. It was also a bitch to get the coconut out when cleaning up after bottling.

Second time, I decided to make it easier on myself and racked the beer over the coconut in another primary plastic bucket.

As for bottling, yes, I added the extract in the bucket with the priming sugars.

ashort33 · 11-19-2010, 02:18 PM

Genius - I am always amazed at the creativity of the home-brew hobbyists!

petetheo · 11-19-2010, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by powerfreak

No, I racked the beer over it in the secondary.

First time, I used a 5 gallon carboy and it was WAY full, as the coconut took all leftover headspace and expands with the added moisture of the beer. It was also a bitch to get the coconut out when cleaning up after bottling.

Second time, I decided to make it easier on myself and racked the beer over the coconut in another primary plastic bucket.

As for bottling, yes, I added the extract in the bucket with the priming sugars.

I apologize if I seem ignorant but I'm a new to homebrewing. When you say "racked over," what exaclty does that mean?

6fiddyv · 11-19-2010, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by petetheo

I apologize if I seem ignorant but I'm a new to homebrewing. When you say "racked over," what exaclty does that mean?

Place the coconut on the bottom of an empty bucket, then transfer the beer/fermenting wort on top of the coconut. easy peasy.

petetheo · 11-19-2010, 08:13 PM

Makes sense. I guess I over complicated it in my head.

**powerfreak** · 11-20-2010, 12:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 6fiddyv

Place the coconut on the bottom of an empty bucket, then transfer the beer/fermenting wort on top of the coconut. easy peasy.

This!

You're new to it dude! No worries about "dumb" questions because there is ALWAYS something to learn around these parts!

mjrtom · 11-20-2010, 03:52 AM

@petetheo,
racking basically means transferring. we all had to start somewhere. i still have a lot to learn, including some terminology.

@powerfreak,
thanks for the ideas. i can't wait to try it out. here's one for you:
i read somewhere that putting the coconut in a hop bag and then racking the beer over it into the secondary keeps it less messy. and apparently it also holds back some of the oils which are bad for head retention.