New brewer with a question

Doing a Belgian blonde this weekend. Was curious to know if I wanted to add a bit of a citrus taste to it, how would I go about it.

Thinking orange zest for a kinda blue moon feeling.

How much would I add and when?


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I just brewed a blonde ale this weekend and used Wyeast 1272 American Ale 2 and will be adding a 1/4 cup orange zest to secondary for 7 days this sunday. I am looking for a really stronge citrus flavor. Adding it to secondary was based on the research I did on the forums. Hope that helps.

 

I have added the zest of about 3 oranges at flameout and had great results. I would always use fresh orange zest vs dried. If you really want a kick in the ass orange-style, maybe zest 5 for flameout and see how it goes, and dry hop with them only if necessary.


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You could also add some cascade or chinook hops. These will give you a citrusy taste were as orange peel will give you a orange flavor. Also LHBS sell dried orange peel. This is more citrusy and less orangy.

As far as orange zest, adding to the boil will at a hint, "dry hopping" it so to say, will be much stronger