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Adding Chocolate Extract To Keg

Discussion in 'General Homebrew Discussion' started by chrisvaf, Nov 13, 2017.

 

  1. #1
    chrisvaf

    Active Member

    Posted Nov 13, 2017
    Hey everyone. I have a Rogue Chocolate Stout fermenting and I'll be transferring to a keg in a few days. The recipe I followed is below, and calls for chocolate extract to be added to the secondary/keg. I purchased this - https://www.ontariobeerkegs.com/Natural_Chocolate_Flavouring_Extract_4oz_p/nat-flav-chocolate.htm

    The question I have regarding sanitation of the extract (I have searched a ton but haven't been able to find an answer to this). Is there a need to boil or pasteurize the extract, or can I simply sanitize a measuring cup, add the extract then add that to the keg?

    Recipe: https://www.homebrewersassociation.org/homebrew-recipe/rogue-chocolate-stout-clone/
     
  2. #2
    LLBeanJ

    Supporting Member  

    Posted Nov 13, 2017
    No need to sanitize the extract, just sanitize whatever you use to measure it out and add to the beer. Even that is likely not necessary since the extract itself probably contains alcohol and therefore would be self-sanitizing, but to keep within the spirit of reasonable precautions and such, it certainly wouldn't hurt.
     
  3. #3
    Hoppy2bmerry

    My hop trellis brings the boys to the yard.  

    Posted Nov 13, 2017
    To be extra cautious you could also sanitize the exterior of the extract container. :mug:
     
  4. #4
    chrisvaf

    Active Member

    Posted Nov 13, 2017
    Thanks for the quick replies! I’ll definitely be sanitizing the inside and outside of the measuring container.

    Cheers.
     
  5. #5
    Shwagger

    Well-Known Member

    Posted Nov 14, 2017
    Just dump it in and rack or swirl it around? I'm adding chocolate extract(with priming sugar) to my fermenter before racking so I can bottle a few.
     
  6. #6
    chrisvaf

    Active Member

    Posted Nov 14, 2017
    I thought about that as well so that I could then do a closed transfer to a fully purged keg. On what fermentation day and for how many days are you keeping it in the primary?
     
  7. #7
    Shwagger

    Well-Known Member

    Posted Nov 14, 2017
    Plan was to add it with priming sugar, after cold crashing, , so it might be in there 30 minutes before racking. I also do a closed loop into a keg.

    I honestly don't think extra time in the fermenter will be necessary as mine will naturally carb over two weeks. Gives the extract two weeks to mix or do whatever it is it does
     
  8. #8
    IslandLizard

    Progressive Brewing Staff Member  

    Posted Nov 15, 2017
    How does everyone feel about adding those flavor extracts to beer? I find most to taste very artificial regardless of their claim to be "all natural."

    When I've added extracts, like BrewCraft's, which is likely similar the OP's, I used only very small, truly minimal amounts, just to get a hint, or to fortify a real fruit flavor that was present. But even small amounts seem to overwhelm after a while. The bottles call for 4 oz per 5 gallons. I only used about 1 tsp (5 ml) per gallon or less. I used mostly fruity extracts like Raspberry. Some extracts may fair better.
     
  9. #9
    day_trippr

    We live in interesting times...

    Posted Nov 15, 2017
    I've only tried Nielsen-Massey chocolate and coffee extracts and they're both quite good.
    Haven't used any fruit extracts as the closest thing I do to a "fruit" beer is the orange zest I use for some of my wheats.

    I did have a raspberry chocolate stout the other day, though, and was intrigued enough to consider dosing a pour or two of my own stout with an extract one of these days and see where that leads. Olive Nation sells an all-natural version that seems well regarded...

    Cheers!
     
  10. #10
    chrisvaf

    Active Member

    Posted Nov 15, 2017
    @day_trippr, how many ounces do you use per 5 gallons? The recipe I’m following calls for 1.5.
     
  11. #11
    Shwagger

    Well-Known Member

    Posted Nov 15, 2017
    4 ounces sounds like a ton! 2oz of chocolate extract, the Massey kind, will go into my stout.
     
  12. #12
    day_trippr

    We live in interesting times...

    Posted Nov 15, 2017
    For five gallons I have used 2 ounces of the chocolate, half that of the coffee...

    Cheers!
     
  13. #13
    Morrey

    Well-Known Member

    Posted Nov 15, 2017
    I am with you, brother. Those extracts that come in beer kits should be banned by law!! I am sure there are premium extracts out there, but I have yet to find those. A fellow HBT member suggests Apex as one to try. day_trippr offered yet another suggestion he had used with success.

    There is an active thread going on now for chocolate infusions. A liquid cocoa called "cholaca" is being billed for great infusion flavors. In the current edition of BYO magazine, Oskar Blues published their recipe for Death by Coconut which uses Cholaca for chocolate flavor. It reported infuses the beer with flavors, then drops out of suspension into the yeast cake leaving a nice clarity.
     
    IslandLizard likes this.
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