Good Earth Sweet n' Spicy Tea?

[keithbeats]

I saw only one thread on this in the Extract section. I came over here to see if anyone has tried it. I'm going to put 5 teabags in at flameout for 5 minutes. Hoping to get some big apices along with Hallertau and Hersbrucker. Looking to do a holiday ale.

 

[COLObrewer]

5 bags for 5 gallons? Probably won't be able to notice it.

 

[SnickASaurusRex]

Is this an herbal tea, or a tea leaf and spices tea? It makes a difference. Tea leafs contain tannins which can lead to astringency, but if it is an herbal tea that is not a concern.

5 bags may be a little lite. This is a good way to judge taste. Boil 1 cup (8 oz) water and brew 1 tea bag in this. This is the same as 16 tea bags per gallon. Taste this. Now add 1 oz of the brewed tea to a pint of cool water. This is like 1 tea bag pr gallon, but remember there will be stronger malt and hop characteristics to mask this.

A good addition of commercial tea is anywhere between 5 - 15 bags to the total brew (5 gal).

You could also drop an ounce into a pint of similar beer and see how it works.

I hope this helps

 

[keithbeats]

Thanks for the info. I went with 13 teabags. I took an OG of 1.031. Seems pretty low. This is before the addition of yeast. I'm sort of surprised at how low it is.

 

[keithbeats]

Weird, checked again and the gravity is 1.051!

 

[SnickASaurusRex]

if you're brewing extract it might not have been mixed well for your first reading and then equalized as it rested. I would take the second reading as your actual OG. If the recipe is calling for near 1.051 this is most likely the case. Extracts brews are hard to mess up the gravity.

 

[keithbeats]

Yes, 1.050 was the OG I was looking for. That was spot on Rex. Tastes like I thought it would, good!

 

[keithbeats]

I took a reading last night. The gravity was already at 1.010. So I bottled today. The taste is amazing. There is some orange, fruit and cinnamon flavors that are right where I wanted them to be. I can't wait for this one!

 

[khiddy]

Don't forget that the spice flavors will mute somewhat during aging, plus their prominence will change with carbonation and chilling. It does sound like you're in for a treat, though!

 

[keithbeats]

This has got to be the best beer I've made so far. Absolutely delicious. The carbing has changed the profile somewhat. It smells fairly fruity, powdery and soft. The taste starts crisp with a bit of fruit, then has a soft mouth feel, then the taste of tea, light cinnamon, but without the spice. The end lasts for around 30 seconds, with hops now poking out of the final flavors.