Apex Flavors - Peanut Butter Cup, Choco Coconut, Oatmeal Cookie - who has experience?

[passedpawn]

How did you get a tap list like that? Is that an app or something?

It took me exactly 5 minutes to create that display BTW. I already had the TV up there for sports etc. The pub display is an app that you configure on your PC browser. What you can't see is that the snowflakes are moving - it's pretty sweet. I can update it from my pc in seconds.

See https://taplist.io/help/fire-tv-setup

1. Put one of the following over your keezer: an Amazon tablet, Amazon Fire TV, or ANY tv with a Amazon fire stick plugged into an HDMI port
2. On the Amazon display device, search and add the taplist IO app.
3. Set up a free account on taplist and create the display there. You'll see a live representation on your computer. Click save and it shows up on the display. You don't have to be an artist or programmer

 

[Rob2010SS]

It took me exactly 5 minutes to create that display BTW. I already had the TV up there for sports etc. The pub display is an app that you configure on your PC browser. What you can't see is that the snowflakes are moving - it's pretty sweet. I can update it from my pc in seconds.

See https://taplist.io/help/fire-tv-setup

1. Put one of the following over your keezer: an Amazon tablet, Amazon Fire TV, or ANY tv with a Amazon fire stick plugged into an HDMI port
2. On the Amazon display device, search and add the taplist IO app.
3. Set up a free account on taplist and create the display there. You'll see a live representation on your computer. Click save and it shows up on the display. You don't have to be an artist or programmer

That's awesome. Thanks! I only have a two tap kegerator right now but still might be nice to have something like that

 

[lupulinaddict]

I used 3tbsp of the pb cup in a brown ale. I get more aroma than flavor. Are you guys getting a lot of flavor?

Not sure if I should add more extract or try to add something for some nutty or vanilla-like sweetness to round out the finish. The beer is on the dryer side, which tastes fine, but seems to me like it needs more sweetness to match the aroma.

 

[passedpawn]

I used 3tbsp of the pb cup in a brown ale. I get more aroma than flavor. Are you guys getting a lot of flavor?

Not sure if I should add more extract or try to add something for some nutty or vanilla-like sweetness to round out the finish. The beer is on the dryer side, which tastes fine, but seems to me like it needs more sweetness to match the aroma.

The peanut butter cup gives me great flavor. I kinda wish I had some of the porter WITHOUT the flavor to compare, but I didn't leave any unflavored.

Yea, the aroma is significant. My beer's only about 5% ABV - did you make a bigger beer? I also agree, it could be sweeter. That chocolate and peanut butter would probably be more pronounced with a sweeter beer.

 

[lupulinaddict]

Ok. Thanks. I’ll taste it again tonight and see if I should put in more extract or maybe something else.

 

[brewswithshoes]

I went the route of PB separate from my other flavorings. The PB gets drowned out with other flavorings added (made a PB&J) I never went back and added more PB as I can live with it.

I will be ordering the PB Cup and a couple more. These really are the bees knees for flavorings. Literally picking up no artificial tastes.

Just wish the PB was stronger flavor on its own.

 

[lupulinaddict]

I ended up trying to add some extra ingredients to the keg. The beer is a club challenge to use 10% cereal or cookies in the mash, so nutter butter cookies is what I was shooting for. Last night I toasted some peanuts and some oatmeal and then put it in the keg with an extra tbsp of pb cup extract. Tonight I tried it and it made a huge improvement. You can defiantly get the peanut butter aroma and helped me get more in the finish that was looking for. Now I am trying to figure out how long to leave it in there. Anyone have any experience with nuts in a keg?

 

[Leezer]

@passedpawn What was the mash time and temperature for that Robust Porter recipe? I’m thinking of brewing it and trying one of the Apex flavorings, hard to choose which one. Thinking a coffee or an amaretto.

 

[passedpawn]

@passedpawn What was the mash time and temperature for that Robust Porter recipe? I’m thinking of brewing it and trying one of the Apex flavorings, hard to choose which one. Thinking a coffee or an amaretto.

• 60m
• 150F (but you should bump that up to 155 or higher... I brew every beer the same out of muscle memory; and, I think this beer would work better if it was a little sweeter)
• Also, use S-04 or some other english yeast.

Good luck. Peanut butter cup is my fave so far.

 

[Leezer]

Awesome, thank you. So glad to find out about these flavorings. I plan to add some black cherry to my chocolate stout recipe.

 

[passedpawn]

Awesome, thank you. So glad to find out about these flavorings. I plan to add some black cherry to my chocolate stout recipe.

thank @MapleGroveAleworks. He's the one who brought them to my attention.

 

[bleme]

I was trying to remember the name of this company and googled Apex extracts.
Ummmmmm..... not what I was looking for!

 

[Rob2010SS]

Not gonna lie, I just pulled a sample of my chocolate PB milk stout (approx. 3oz) and dosed it with a toothpick that I stuck in the jar of Peanut Butter Cup extract, and I'm not a fan as of right now. The smell definitely does not smell like peanut butter cups and it's a clear artificial smell.

I sealed the sample and am letting it sit for a bit to see if it mellows out but initial taste/smell is not good....

(Aaaaaaaand queue the lynching mob!)

 

[passedpawn]

Not gonna lie, I just pulled a sample of my chocolate PB milk stout (approx. 3oz) and dosed it with a toothpick that I stuck in the jar of Peanut Butter Cup extract, and I'm not a fan as of right now. The smell definitely does not smell like peanut butter cups and it's a clear artificial smell.

I sealed the sample and am letting it sit for a bit to see if it mellows out but initial taste/smell is not good....

(Aaaaaaaand queue the lynching mob!)

Funny. I just returned from a local brewery that just put a peanut butter porter on tap. My neighbor and I thought it was an exact clone of my beer. I thought it was great. Not too much of the PB.

I spoke at length with the brewer. I saw his gallon container of choco pb flavor, from LD Carlson. I’m gonna say it’s the same as I used.

 

[passedpawn]

When I got the extracts from Apex, I bought some commercial porter and put a tiny bit in it and tasted. All I could detect was a strong chemically ethanoly flavor. Ouch. My wife, walking through the house, thought there was a gas leak (we don't have NG).

So, I would not assume that your toothpick test was a good test. The PB isn't strong in my porter... I probably could have added more. But I don't think it tastes artificial.

 

[Rob2010SS]

When I got the extracts from Apex, I bought some commercial porter and put a tiny bit in it and tasted. All I could detect was a strong chemically ethanoly flavor. Ouch. My wife, walking through the house, thought there was a gas leak (we don't have NG).

So, I would not assume that your toothpick test was a good test. The PB isn't strong in my porter... I probably could have added more. But I don't think it tastes artificial.

So what would be a better test to test it out without ruining the batch?

 

[passedpawn]

So what would be a better test to test it out without ruining the batch?

If it seems like a big deal, probably just don't add it. For me, every batch is an experiment, with some risk attached.

 

[Rob2010SS]

If it seems like a big deal, probably just don't add it. For me, every batch is an experiment, with some risk attached.

Yeah, I'm probably not going to add it. I have nothing on tap currently, so I'm not willing to ruin this batch haha. I think I'll let it sit on the 2lbs of PB in secondary for another week or two and leave it at that.

 

[lupulinaddict]

For me, every batch is an experiment, with some risk attached.

Word.

The peanuts I added got me to where I wanted flavor and aroma wise regarding the strength of pb in the beer. As I assumed would happen, zero head, but that’s what the next experiment is for!

 

[MapleGroveAleworks]

Just kegged my sweet stout for Christmas and I added 3.5 tsp of the mint chocolate extract.

Couldn't help but sneak a taste and it's delicious. An andes mint flavoured sweet stout will be divine this holiday!

 

[brewswithshoes]

Funny. I just returned from a local brewery that just put a peanut butter porter on tap. My neighbor and I thought it was an exact clone of my beer. I thought it was great. Not too much of the PB.

I spoke at length with the brewer. I saw his gallon container of choco pb flavor, from LD Carlson. I’m gonna say it’s the same as I used.

@passedpawn Curious - which local Brewery? Would like to try theirs.

 

[bracconiere]

so does this stuff, like, turn beer into a sorta grain based wine cooler or something? joke

or maybe something for the hard water thread!

(no i don't need to get cussed out by a forum admin!, but thought it was funny. And how about some caffeine while we're at it!)

 

[passedpawn]

@passedpawn Curious - which local Brewery? Would like to try theirs.

Infusion Brewing. Up East Lake road, Trinity area. Small place.

 

[BongoYodeler]

Interested. Subscribed for future reference.

 

[Zimm9]

How do these compare to the LorAnn oils/extracts? I got a cream ale kit with a dram of apple flavor and it was really good. That prompted me to seek out a variety pack of their stuff on Amazon. Unfortunately, I haven't gotten around to experimenting with them yet.

 

[MapleGroveAleworks]

How do these compare to the LorAnn oils/extracts? I got a cream ale kit with a dram of apple flavor and it was really good. That prompted me to seek out a variety pack of their stuff on Amazon. Unfortunately, I haven't gotten around to experimenting with them yet.

Never had those before, but these are so good I wouldn't have much reason to ever switch to anything else.

 

[sfrisby]

Some taste testing going on in advance of my porter currently fermenting.

Chocolate peanut butter- awesome. Great aroma. Good flavor. Too much gives you a chemical flavor.

Oatmeal cookie-great aroma and delicious oatmeal cookie flavor.

Maple bacon- tastes like your grain bill was 25% black patent. Best way to describe it. Was hoping for Funky Budda mbcp. But, nope.

 

[passedpawn]

I tested these in commercial porters before I used them in the actual homebrew. I guess I got the amounts wrong or something, because it was pretty terrible.

In the homebrew, no problem.

The peanut butter cup is pretty weak on the PB. I'll probably look for peanut butter only next time.

 

[MapleGroveAleworks]

View attachment 597159 Some taste testing going on in advance of my porter currently fermenting.

Chocolate peanut butter- awesome. Great aroma. Good flavor. Too much gives you a chemical flavor.

Oatmeal cookie-great aroma and delicious oatmeal cookie flavor.

Maple bacon- tastes like your grain bill was 25% black patent. Best way to describe it. Was hoping for Funky Budda mbcp. But, nope.

Enjoyed reading your feedback. I was thinking about the maple bacon one myself, so it looks like a hard pass for me.

I've never gotten any chemical flavor in mine, especially once you mix it into 5 gallons. My buddy ordered the oatmeal cookie one. I want to put that in a porter pretty bad! Haha

 

[sfrisby]

PassedPawn-interesting take on peanut butter. I thought it was good Pb and if anything, light on chocolate. I used your ratio from an early post that I think scaled down to roughly 1ml per 12 oz bottle.

MapleGrove-I hate to turn anyone off, I’d rather everyone try it themselves and maybe your flavor profile is different. But if you want a free sample, I know where you can find one. [emoji6]