Q about pumpkin flavor

[TheMan]

Yeah, I have not seen any recipes with that much pumpkin either. It was an accident, so I can't say it was a bright idea. I ended up with 7 1/2 gallons, lower gravity than intended, but still acceptable. If it tastes good I will modify to get more gravity next time.

 

[ThreeTaps]

I hear that yams give a more gourdy taste, like pumpkin, just more flavorfull.

 

[TheMan]

I've heard the yams work as well. I may try them out in the future. This brew was a lot of fun, so perhaps I will do it sooner than later...I'm also thinking of experimenting with pecans after having the Abita Harvest Ale...maybe thinking pecan pumpkin/sweet potato.

 

[MikeScott]

I know this is kind of a blast from the past now, but how did everyone's beer turn out? If the verdict is a thumbs up, can I get the recipes / a link to the recipe?

The Thunderstruck pumpkin that I made just isn't very good. It's drinkable, if you've had a few already. It's improved over time, so I'm still nursing them along to see if they get better. I'm not much of a beer judge, so I can't be real specific, I just didn't particularly like it. After the 2nd month of bottle conditioning, it started getting some cinnamon flavor coming through, so I'm hoping it gets better with time.

I have been having a issue with a common taste, house flavor if you prefer, in all of my beers. I was trying to eliminate it, and I think it comes down to the peroxide based sanitizer I was using, IO Star. I've since switched to Star San, and that flavor has gone away. Unfortunately, I brewed this pumpkin ale before I switched sanitizers.

Anyway, hope to hear back from you guys.

 

[TheMan]

Mikescott,
Mine turned out decent...after a LONG time in the bottle. I think it was slightly infected. But it is mellowing out as time goes by. I try it every few weeks and it does get better and better. I'm by no means pleased with it. However, a review, it does have a pumpkin scent...and the pumpkin does come through a bit as I would expect with 9 pounds of pumpkin lol.

My friend I brew with also did a spice beer that turned out similar tasting and nothing special. I decided since then to step back and leave the spices to the commercial brewers for the moment. I'll revisit those types in time though.

I also switched to all-grain recently so I don't doubt the results would be better now.

 

[MikeScott]

Mikescott,
Mine turned out decent...after a LONG time in the bottle. I think it was slightly infected. But it is mellowing out as time goes by. I try it every few weeks and it does get better and better. I'm by no means pleased with it. However, a review, it does have a pumpkin scent...and the pumpkin does come through a bit as I would expect with 9 pounds of pumpkin lol.

My friend I brew with also did a spice beer that turned out similar tasting and nothing special. I decided since then to step back and leave the spices to the commercial brewers for the moment. I'll revisit those types in time though.

I also switched to all-grain recently so I don't doubt the results would be better now.

Thanks for the reply! I hope the beer continues to improve. Mine as well as yours.

My pumpkin was extract, and I heard that it's kind of hard to brew all grain with pumpkin. My wife bought me a recipe book that has a all grain pumpkin recipe in it, one where you use an actual pumpkin. There's also a pumpkin pie recipe that uses the pumpkin from the mash. I would like to give it a try.

Even though I brew all grain now, I'm still planning on brewing some more extract batches. You just can't beat the time savings.

 

[passedpawn]

I made the following beer and was VERY happy with it. Chewy, malty, and spicy. I gave one to my BIL who was down for Christmas, and his first comment was "Pumkin Pie!". There is no pumpkin in it. The spices are very prominent. My plan is to make this again in the summer. I will cut the spices down 25%.

Joie De Vivre
Spice / Holiday Beer

Type: All Grain Date: 9/26/2009
Batch Size: 6.00 gal
Boil Size: 7.80 gal
Boil Time: 90 min


Ingredients
Amount Item Type % or IBU
0.40 lb Rice Hulls - 50# (1.8 SRM) Adjunct 2.06 %
8.00 lb Pilsner (2 Row) Malteurop (1.7 SRM) Grain 41.24 %
4.00 lb White Wheat Malt (2.5 SRM) Grain 20.62 %
3.00 lb Munich Malt - 10L (10.0 SRM) Grain 15.46 %
2.00 lb Caramel/Crystal Malt - 40L (40.0 SRM) Grain 10.31 %
1.00 lb Melanoiden Malt (28.0 SRM) Grain 5.15 %
1.00 lb Victory Malt (28.0 SRM) Grain 5.15 %
0.50 oz Tradition [5.00 %] (90 min) Hops 6.2 IBU
1.00 oz Tradition [5.00 %] (30 min) Hops 8.9 IBU
2.00 oz Clove Spice (powder) (Boil 5.0 min) Misc
2.00 oz Nutmeg (Boil 5.0 min) Misc
4.00 oz Cinnamon Spice (powder) (Boil 10.0 min) Misc
1 Pkgs Scottish Ale (Wyeast Labs #1728) [Starter 2000 ml] Yeast-Ale


Beer Profile
Measured Original Gravity: 1.090 SG
Measured Final Gravity: 1.029 SG
Actual Alcohol by Vol: 8.00 %
Bitterness: 15.0 IBU Calories: 423 cal/pint
Est Color: 16.0 SRM

 

[MikeScott]

I made the following beer and was VERY happy with it. Chewy, malty, and spicy. I gave one to my BIL who was down for Christmas, and his first comment was "Pumkin Pie!". There is no pumpkin in it. The spices are very prominent. My plan is to make this again in the summer. I will cut the spices down 25%.

Thanks for the recipe and tasting report passedpawn! I'll have to give it a whirl.

 

[Keaston78]

Mine came out sort of "meh". Not great, but not terrible either. The mouthfeel was conspicuously thin, and the spices had somewhat of a bitter edge to them. I'm blaming this on the brown ale kit that the beer was based on. Next time I'll figure out my own malt bill and probably cut back on the spices a tad. Anyone know some good tips for improving the body of a beer?