thatjoshguy
Well-Known Member
So i just got my Northern Brewer Irish Red Ale kit, and for some reason I REALLY want to add coffee to it. Not sure why, maybe it's just my odd twist on an "irish coffee" Has anyone ever tried it? Anyone care to guess on it's success?
I've been reading up on how to do it and plan on using cold extraction to get the coffee prepared and then adding to the secondary. I want a slight smooth coffee flavor, nothing overpowering. Just a hint.
I'm not sure I want to do a full batch this way, so was also wondering what the best way was to split up a batch? I have 2 buckets (fermenting and bottling bucket with spigot) and also a 5 gallon carboy. My usual process is ferment in the spigotless bucket, rack to carboy for secondary, rack to bucket w/ spigot to bottle, but was thinking this time I would ferment in the spigotless bucket, then rack most of the brew into the carboy and about a fourth into another container and only add the coffee to that. Obviously I would be needing another airlock, but what kind of container do you think I should use? my LHBS sells one gallon glass growlers, would that be okay?
Based on one gallon of beer, how much coffee should I use, and in how much water for the cold extraction?
Final question, should I back off on the bittering hops a little bit as well since the coffee may add to final bitterness?
Thanks in advance!
I've been reading up on how to do it and plan on using cold extraction to get the coffee prepared and then adding to the secondary. I want a slight smooth coffee flavor, nothing overpowering. Just a hint.
I'm not sure I want to do a full batch this way, so was also wondering what the best way was to split up a batch? I have 2 buckets (fermenting and bottling bucket with spigot) and also a 5 gallon carboy. My usual process is ferment in the spigotless bucket, rack to carboy for secondary, rack to bucket w/ spigot to bottle, but was thinking this time I would ferment in the spigotless bucket, then rack most of the brew into the carboy and about a fourth into another container and only add the coffee to that. Obviously I would be needing another airlock, but what kind of container do you think I should use? my LHBS sells one gallon glass growlers, would that be okay?
Based on one gallon of beer, how much coffee should I use, and in how much water for the cold extraction?
Final question, should I back off on the bittering hops a little bit as well since the coffee may add to final bitterness?
Thanks in advance!