Brewing a Green Tea Ale

[Hilbert]

I would brew the tea and add it to the secondary but I would stay away for the honey.

You'd have to add a lot to make a difference plus it will really dry out the beer.

 

[Hegh]

I've never heard that before, actually. For what it's worth, I've always just added honey during the last 5 minutes of the boil, and those beers turned out great.

Why shouldn't you boil honey? Does it boil off some of the flavor or something?

I've never brewed with honey before, I'm just repeating what I've read elsewhere. Last five minutes is fine, I'm sure, and if it has worked for you in the past then go for it. I thought you meant that you were going to boil the honey for the full hour.

As I understand it, boiling it for a while would boil off the flavor, yes.

 

[MrVagabond]

Funny enough, I googled boiling honey and I get a thread from here. Seems people are saying some of the compounds that create honey's flavor are volatile and will be ruined by prolonged high heat exposure.

 

[mc_eric]

Ahh, Thanks for the link Vagabond. This was all news to me

 

[Hilbert]

Thinking about doing this for my next batch.

Here's what I'm thinking. Let me know what you think. I want a simple beer that will let the green tea show through. I might even add some steeped tea to the secondary.

Steep green tea separate during boil. Add liquid post boil.
6 Lbs Light LME

Steeped @ 155 for 45 Mins – Sparge @ 170
½ Lb Flaked Maize
½ Lb CaraPils

1 oz Cluster - 60 Mins
½ oz Cluster – 5 Mins

White Labs San Fran Lager Yeast