Peppers for Some Heat

[catdaddy66]

I am getting ready to rack my pale ale to my carboy as a secondary. I know it's not a necessary step but am trying to make my first beer with peppers and from everything I have read (unfortunately not as much as I'd like) it seems adding them to the beer after primary ferfermentation seems to get the best results. I am also planning to place a piece of sliced pepper in each bottle. Again, my limited research seems to note less spice/heat when peppers are boiled or steeped before PF.


Has anyone had the experience of trying either of these techniques or both of them? I am going to continue to read up on this but was sure that HBT members have some opinions and experiences to share. Thanks!!

 

[catdaddy66]

So, no pepper brewers in da house? Gotcha. I'll let everyone know how it turns out I guess.

 

[Jmarsh544]

There is a great IPA pepper thread around here somewhere right now, I would suggest reading and possibly asking the question there. Hope it turns out well.

 

[catdaddy66]

There is a great IPA pepper thread around here somewhere right now, I would suggest reading and possibly asking the question there. Hope it turns out well.

Yeah, I read that thread. I was hoping to gather more responses without hijacking another persons thread. I actually have been through most of the recipes and other sites as well but was unsatisfied with the amount of info. I will continue looking but I also believe that people are the best resource!

 

[924RACR]

Not sure what peppers you're using, and we've never tried an after-boil treatment... we've used just Thai chili peppers, in at the end of the boil, for the last 10 minutes... from what we've been told, from the source of the recipe we used, more time will be more heat...

 

[catdaddy66]

Thanks racr! I bought some serranos and will roast a few to age in the secondary (maybe 10-12) and will bottle with a small piece in each. The Thai peppers are much hotter and I wasn't sure if they will over power the flavor. Gonna start small and work up!

 

[catdaddy66]

Finally!! Roasted 10 Serrano peppers and dry hopped them in my carboy as suggested in another thread. Hope 10-12 days of that will end up potently caliente in the bottle. If not, I will also slice up some and add a piece to each bottle.

I am hoping for the best and trying not to get too excited about my first added ingredient!

 

[catdaddy66]

Wow! Better than I could have imagined. I placed a 1/2" to 1" pepper piece in each bottle and can't believe the heat! I personally love this much but can easily understand that many would not. To be honest, it is right on the line of being too hot for me (but not quite!).

 

[Jebu1788]

I placed a 1/2" to 1" pepper piece in each bottle and can't believe the heat!

Careful on the pepper in the beer... it sounds too close to this beer than I would want:
http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/677/2213/?sort=topr&start=0