Spices, how do the pro's keep them so prominent??

[Rev2010]

I've done two pumpkin ales and an Apple Pie Ale. My latest pumpkin, an AG batch, and my latest apple pie ale came out pretty good. My Pumpkin used 5 and a half teaspoons of spices total. I can taste them fine in the final beer but they still aren't anywhere near as prominent or "effervescent" as you get in something like a Weyerbacher Imperial Pumpkin Ale. For my Apple Pie Ale I used 2.5 teaspoons of spices total - just Cinnamon and Nutmeg and the taste is there but could be a bit more prominent.

So, I've tried 1 minute in the boil addition, 5 minutes in the boil, and also adding an additional 1/2 teaspoon or so at bottle time soaked in vodka as I did with the apple pie ale.

So what do the pro's do? Do they do their spices at some point in the boil, do they do the spices at some point during primary fermentation, do they add it at bottling, or do they do a combination of both?? Or do they just add a huge crap load of spices more than we typically think is normal? They have to be doing something different to keep the spices so upfront with each bottle compared to my results. I'm leaning towards them using far more quantities than we see in typical recipes.


Rev.

 

[bovineblitz]

This past year I used only whole/fresh spices. I noticed that there's much less of a 'powdery' mouthfeel which contributes to a more clean spice profile. That could be part of it.

 

[lou2row]

This past year I used only whole/fresh spices. I noticed that there's much less of a 'powdery' mouthfeel which contributes to a more clean spice profile. That could be part of it.

+1
Also, make sure your spices are less than a year old, and kept out of the heat and light.

 

[Rev2010]

+1
Also, make sure your spices are less than a year old, and kept out of the heat and light.

My spices are the powered kind, but they are definitely totally fresh and stored properly. The fresh "whole" spice thing may be a darn good point though.


Rev.

 

[bottlebomber]

I just did my first pumpkin ale, and I wish the spices were a little less prominent... I buy all my spices from the bulk jars in the healthfood store, and they are super fresh. Maybe that's the answer.

 

[thisgoestoeleven]

fresh,whole spices steeped in your priming solution.

 

[plumbob]

Good quality spices will improve things immensely. I like the "Spice Islands" brand myself, freshness counts too, at least as much if not more than quality.

 

[JRems]

I'm pretty sure some use "flavorings" I don't think they all use "natural" spices.

 

[fxdude]

I'm pretty sure some use "flavorings" I don't think they all use "natural" spices.

I was wondering about that since I'm having the same trouble getting enough of the spice taste and I'm using fresh spice

 

[sheeshomatic]

If y'all have never purchased or compared grocery store spices to those obtained (cheaper I might add) from Penzey's, I strongly urge you to do so for all of your spice needs. They're awesome, incomparably better than store bought and did I mention cheap?

Penzeys Spices. Over 250 Spices, Herbs and Seasonings.

Disclaimer: I am in no way associated with Penzey's Spices or any of it's spicy subsidiaries. I just love me some PenZ.