Pumpkin Ale

Just a fast question:

Has anyone ever brewed a pumpkin ale using pumpkin pie mix?

If so what did you think?

Thanks Joe

Use canned pumpkin, not pumpkin pie mix. See my recipe in the database (use the recipe dropdown under my user name).

I've heard using canned pumpkin is awful too b/c it is a pain to strain it all out.

I plan on brewing a pumpkin ale soon and adding real pumpkin to the secondary (SmuttyNose Brewery recommendation) with a few dried spices (very little) and let it sit in secondary for a few weeks. I don't have a specific recipe though.

I've made two beers with canned pumpkin, the first was great, and I just bottled the second and I think it will be even better. I add the pumpkin with 10 mins. left in the boil and don't strain it before adding it to primary, then leave the pumpkin behind when I rack to secondary. You just have to adjust your final volume, because you'll leave almost a gallon behind in primary when you rack.

Real pumpkin should work just as well, I think it's just a personal preference.

TheH2 said:

I've heard using canned pumpkin is awful too b/c it is a pain to strain it all out.

I plan on brewing a pumpkin ale soon and adding real pumpkin to the secondary (SmuttyNose Brewery recommendation) with a few dried spices (very little) and let it sit in secondary for a few weeks. I don't have a specific recipe though.

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I used canned pumpkin this weekend. It pretty much all dissolves when it's hot....I put in for a 60 minute boil....as per Yuri's recipe. However, in the carboy, it's settled out and i have several inches of trub.

I don't see canned pumpkin causing an issue. It actually seems quite easy and convenient.

I just made one yesterday. Used 2 cans (30 oz) of Libby's 100% Pumpkin. Decided to mash the pumpkin instead of boil it. It made the sparge VERY slow, but I collected enough wort and ended up overshooting my target OG by a little.

After the boil with the spices added, it smells like pumpkin pie!