How do I accomplish this... SWMBO insists on it... Help

MediaMikes · 02-18-2008, 05:01 PM

I just ordered an extract cream ale that will arive this week and get brewed this weekend. My girlfriend asked me if I could induce orange into it. I told her that I know it is possible to add fruit to a beer during the brewing process, but wasn't sure how to do it (this is my first time brewing). Does anybody here know how I would be able to get an orange flavor into my beer so that I can make her happy? I found where you can do rasberries and stuff like that but not oranges. what is the best way to do it?

**bradsul** · 02-18-2008, 05:05 PM

The safest bet is to get an orange extract flavouring from your LHBS. Once your beer is into the bottling bucket, you add it slowly until you're happy with the flavour.

For your first batch however I might still think about doing it as per the kit directions. You will have enough to worry about without over-complicating things.

**olllllo** · 02-18-2008, 05:07 PM

http://www.williamjamestrading.com/showProducts.aspx?search=orange

This type of thing is available in most Hombrew stores. Costs about $2.

jester22151 · 02-18-2008, 05:08 PM

I did it a little different with a weizen I just didi. I took and orange and harvested all of the orange zest I could get off of it, and put into the water you put in your primary before I added the wort and mixed it up. The water starts to turn orange really quickly, then I let it ferment all the way out in the primary and it was fantastic.

At least this way it only costs you an orange instead of going to the brew store and buying the extract.

going into the brew store is like taking a woman to linen's and things. You ain't gettin out of there for less than $150. especially if you are new.

Beerthoven · 02-18-2008, 05:08 PM

Try adding 1/2 ounce of sweet organge peel to the boil.

I haven't done this yet, but I'm going to soon for a planned Christmas ale.

**Revvy** · 02-18-2008, 05:10 PM

+1 on what brad said...

Tell swmbo that you love her too much to inflect a bad beer on her, and you want to work on your brewing process on a straghtforward kit recip, before embarking on trying something on your own...

Also...There are plenty of threads on the topic of working with fruit...Just use the search forum featur...I'm pretty sure there are at least 2 currently active in the last couple of days...One of them is about using citrus.

tagz · 02-18-2008, 05:18 PM

i'd go with the orange zest. use a cheese shredder to scrape off the orange part of the peel. don't get down to the white because it will be bitter. you could then put it into a little pot with some pre-boiled water and steep it at 160 for 5-10 minutes to pasteurize (orange peel is pretty acidic and probably would not host bacteria but steeping will reduce that risk - boiling with cast out too much aroma). then throw the orange zest and water into the primary with your cooled wort.

i'd be afraid that any mistake with the extract would end up overpowering your brew with orange flavor. with the zest from a few oranges you should get a nice light orange flavor.

MediaMikes · 02-18-2008, 05:27 PM

I appologize for double posting, I did search or a little bit but didn't find anything. Guess I need to be a little more persistent.

Thanks everyone for the extremely quick answers. I may try the orange zest approach, I don't think that would be too difficult. I think I may do a heffe next as we both love those types of beers and I may infuse it with lemon.

Then, I will brew a stout for me that is strictly by the book. She won't drink the dark beers so I can leave it alone and not experiment.

**FlyingHorse** · 02-18-2008, 06:06 PM

Brew the kit "normally".

Serve hers with a slice of orange. She can adjust the amount of orange flavor on her own, and you get a beer you'll still like and a baseline for your other brews.

Orange-infused cream ale sounds pretty gross to me, and I wouldn't chance making 5 gallons of it...especially on my first batch.

**olllllo** · 02-18-2008, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bike N Brew

Brew the kit "normally".

Serve hers with a slice of orange. She can adjust the amount of orange flavor on her own, and you get a beer you'll still like and a baseline for your other brews.

You cant go wrong with that advice. Tell her she needs to help you with research. This will ensure at least 2 batches.