Special processes for holiday spiced ale? (Ramp? Decoction?)

[pilafdm]

Hi, folks!

I'm going for a nice dark brown holiday spiced ale.
I'm only using extract and steeping specialty grains, however.

I've read about the benefits of decoction and ramping, and I'm wondering if:

1. Any would apply to this kind of beer, and
2. There's a point since I'm not actually mashing?

Thank you -- cheers!

 

[CastleHollow]

Depending on what you're using for specialty grains, you could try those techniques using them in sort of a mini-mash. But since the bulk of your recipe is going to be extract, there's no need to worry about it.

 

[pilafdm]

There's no harm in mini-mashing things that I'd normally only steep, is there?

 

[nealizm]

Seems time to dip in to partial mashing.Thats what i do,if you can steep you can biab partial.Cheaper as well.

*What type of spice are you useing?

 

[pilafdm]

As I realized it, I am partial mashing. Sweet. I'm doing to try decocting a bit after all.

My spices are maybe a little bombastic. What I haven't figured out is how much of each:
Grains of Paradise
Allspice
Cloves
Coriander
Cardamom
Mead spice
Black tea
Cocoa nibs
Rose water
Orange zest
Ginger
Vanilla Bean