Smashing Pumpkin Ale

[mikep90]

Looking to make the smashing pumpkin extract kit in the coming weeks. Any thoughts on additional spices to use? I was considering maybe some brown sugar during the boil, or maybe adding some pumpkin pie mix to the carboy during secondary fermentation. Any thoughts? Thanks!

 

[GilaMinumBeer]

Bullets and butterfly wings. Duh!

 

[jerbrew]

Not sure what comes in the kit so its hard to recommend anything. Brown sugar is always yummy. Nutmeg, cinnamon, or a pumpkin pie spice blend. I wouldn't use canned pumpkin pie mix. anything that's "ready to go" to make a pie is going to have crap you don't want in your beer. and as far as using actual pumpkin, i've only ever put it in my mash and since this is an extract kit you're doing that. I'd stick with some spices into secondary and some brown sugar if you're feeling saucy. Again, hard to say since i've never brewed it or had it.

 

[mikep90]

I didnt know that about the ready to n go mixes so I'm glad you mentioned that. The kit comes with a blend of spices already, I think I'll take your advice and experiment with some brown sugar. Thanks again!

 

[tracyk]

Being that you are doing the extract kit, the only thing that I would add would be a little brown sugar, around 8 oz of the light brown sugar or you could use the brown sugar to carbonate your ale. If the spices are not enough you can always add more right before you bottle. McCormick's makes a wonderful Pumpkin Pie Spice.

 

[RUOMO10]

I was also looking at this kit. I like the spice addition ideas people suggested!

 

[JDWebb]

I put 3 cans of organic pumpkin in a Thanksgiving Ale and it did nothing but add a sort of creamy texture. I would leave any kind of pumpkin out and just use the spices. After all, that's what you taste in pumpkin pie.