Weird Christmas (Extract)

I've decided to do a weirdo experimental batch for my fourth brewing attempt. I wanted it to be higher ABV and ready as a Christmas warmer-upper. I was also intrigued by the Harry Butter Beer thread that was floating around not too long ago. The result (which is brewing right now) is this recipe, hopefully it turns into something worthwhile:

90 Min Boil (to boil off excess water, mostly. I overestimated.)

2 Cans Extra Light LME
1 Can Amber LME
1lb 2 Row Pale |
1lb Crystal 80L |--Steeped until 180*
1lb Dextrine |
1 Stick Cinnamon
1 Pack Meijer Butterscotch Chips

1oz 4.8% Fuggles @ 90
.5oz 4.5% Goldings @ 60
1tsp Nestle Vanilla Caramel dry creamer @ 60
1tbs Ground Cinnamon @ 60
.5oz 4.5% Goldings @ 20
1tsp Irish Moss @ 15

Pitch WL-004 and 007, I didn't have time/patience for a starter. We'll see what happens.

Critiques are welcome and encouraged, though the boil is at 50 min. I'm excited to see how this turns out. People seem to talk **** about using real butterscotch chips in the Butter Beer thread, but no one has actually used them.

I like the idea but I like a little cleaner ingredient statement on the beers I make.

Meijer Butterscotch chips = Sugar Partially Hydrogenated Palm Kernel Oil Coconut Oil Nonfat Dry Milk Dry Whey Soy Lecithin Added as an Emulsifier Yellow 6 Lake Yellow 5 Lake Blue 2 Lake Natural and Artificial Flavoring Added and Salt.

Nestle Vanilla Caramel dry creamer = SUGAR, VEGETABLE OIL (PARTIALLY HYDROGENATED COCONUT OR PALM KERNEL, HYDROGENATED SOYBEAN), CORN SYRUP SOLIDS, AND LESS THAN 2% OF SODIUM CASEINATE (A MILK DERIVATIVE)**, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVORS, DIPOTASSIUM PHOSPHATE (MODERATES COFFEE ACIDITY), MONO- AND DIGLYCERIDES (PREVENTS OIL SEPARATION), SALT, SODIUM ALUMINOSILICATE, SUCRALOSE.

You'll need to add the cinnamon at the end of the boil.

Nurmey said:

I like the idea but I like a little cleaner ingredient statement on the beers I make.

Meijer Butterscotch chips = Sugar Partially Hydrogenated Palm Kernel Oil Coconut Oil Nonfat Dry Milk Dry Whey Soy Lecithin Added as an Emulsifier Yellow 6 Lake Yellow 5 Lake Blue 2 Lake Natural and Artificial Flavoring Added and Salt.

Nestle Vanilla Caramel dry creamer = SUGAR, VEGETABLE OIL (PARTIALLY HYDROGENATED COCONUT OR PALM KERNEL, HYDROGENATED SOYBEAN), CORN SYRUP SOLIDS, AND LESS THAN 2% OF SODIUM CASEINATE (A MILK DERIVATIVE)**, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVORS, DIPOTASSIUM PHOSPHATE (MODERATES COFFEE ACIDITY), MONO- AND DIGLYCERIDES (PREVENTS OIL SEPARATION), SALT, SODIUM ALUMINOSILICATE, SUCRALOSE.

Click to expand...

Then it's gonna be a specially WEIRD Christmas. And Ice - thanks! I'm at 10 min now, so I'll throw a little more in.

Alright, we're chilled, pitched and in the carboy. OG was 1.072, making this my biggest beer yet. I went ahead and added 1tsp cinnamon @ flameout and it smelled amazing. The hydro sample was extremely sweet (as I imagined it would be,) but I assume this will fade as the yeasities feast. Hopefully this turns into something drinkable.

Just popped a bottle of this for the first time to check up on it. It is easily the best beer I've made yet - it's absolutely delicious. I wasn't expecting it to have any head at all, but I'm half way through and it's still sticking around.

I will have no problem gifting this one come Santa Day!



Edit - I just checked my brewing notes, it looks like I made some minor adjustments last minute.

90 Min Boil

6.6lbs Extra Light LME
3.3lbs Amber LME
1lb 2 Row
1lb Crystal 80
1lb Dextrine
1 Cin. Stick (full boil)
1.5 Tsp. Nutmeg (full boil)
1 pack Meijer Butterscotch Chips (full boil)

1oz 4.8% Fuggles @ 90
.5oz 4.5% Goldings @ 60
1 Tsp. Nestle Vinalla Carmel Dry Coffee Creamer @ 60
1 Tsp. Cin. @ 60
.5oz 4.5 Goldings @ 20
1 Tsp. Irish Moss @ 15
1 Tbsp. Cin @ flame out

This stuff is fantastic.

Did you melt the butterscotch chips before adding them to the boil? Or just pour the bag in and let them melt in it?