Strange request for a recipe or advice including a...

[itsernst]

Hey Guys,

I have a weird recipe I want to make and I wanted to to see if it could potentially even work. The seasoning in question is Old Bay. I was thinking that it would make sense to go with an American Style Ale with limited hops so you could actually taste the Old Bay. Even further, would dry hopping make sense for a seasoning?

Thanks in advance,

itsernst

 

[Revvy]

I do believe the sodium, and the msg would play havoc with the process.

But before we even discuss this, I want you to go to your fridge, grab the nearest beer you have on hand...or go to the store, that's not overly hoppy, then go to your spice cabinet, grab a box of that stuff, take a 1/4 of a teaspoon and stir it into the beer.

And drink it....


Then tell me if it's even something you want to investigate.

I love that stuff, but I couldn't even begin to contemplate it in my beer. And I've been known to put some pretty weird sh!t in my beers.....I just won an award for a fennugreek kolsh in an iron brewer competition...and I can't come up with anything to do with old bay.....

 

[zeg]

I love the suggestion to try seasoning your finished beer as a "pre-qualification" step before getting too attached to a concept!

I haven't tasted Old Bay recently, but based on my recollection, I can just about believe it could be ok if you got the balance just right. Not something you're going to want every day, maybe, but to go along with some crab cakes?

I think Revvy's right about the sodium causing serious problems. I think you'll have better luck working out a salt-free approximation. Here's a place to start: http://busycooks.about.com/od/homemademixes/r/oldbaymix.htm

 

[itsernst]

I do believe the sodium, and the msg would play havoc with the process.

But before we even discuss this, I want you to go to your fridge, grab the nearest beer you have on hand...or go to the store, that's not overly hoppy, then go to your spice cabinet, grab a box of that stuff, take a 1/4 of a teaspoon and stir it into the beer.

And drink it....


Then tell me if it's even something you want to investigate.

I love that stuff, but I couldn't even begin to contemplate it in my beer. And I've been known to put some pretty weird sh!t in my beers.....I just won an award for a fennugreek kolsh in an iron brewer competition...and I can't come up with anything to do with old bay.....

I agree with you on the sodium portion, however Old Bay does not contain MSG (not sure how that would affect it).

So even further, what if it was purely for aroma and i added last 1-2 mins of boil (most likely a partial recipe).

 

[Hammy71]

Since I'm from Maryland, I've been known to put Old Bay on a lot of things. French fries, pizza, hell....even in spaghetti sauce. But beer? OMG....Gotta go with Revvy on this one. Put some in your beer glass first. Then decide.

 

[Revvy]

Since I'm from Maryland, I've been known to put Old Bay on a lot of things. French fries, pizza, hell....even in spaghetti sauce. But beer? OMG....Gotta go with Revvy on this one. Put some in your beer glass first. Then decide.

Yeah, I tend to be quite liberal in my usage of it too. Love it.....though my new favorite is,

 

[itsernst]

Since I'm from Maryland, I've been known to put Old Bay on a lot of things. French fries, pizza, hell....even in spaghetti sauce. But beer? OMG....Gotta go with Revvy on this one. Put some in your beer glass first. Then decide.

I am a Marylander who has migrated to San Diego, I am trying to keep my Maryland roots strong. So I think more so than Old Bay flavor, possibly an Old Bay Aroma. I agree that sprinkling Old Bay in a beer and going from there would be putting it bluntly, pretty bad, although I think if it even just had some of the aromas of the spices, that it could be possible.

I appreciate all of the information and will certainly take it into consideration.

 

[mac21]

Subscribed. I'm pumped to see how this turns out! I agree with trying it out in a finished beer. I'm sure it'll be a little weird but you'll never know unless you try it...and I'll never know unless you try it! Happy brewing!

 

[itsernst]

It isn't half bad with the American pale I just kegged. Going to try the same recipe again with a trio of willamette, cascade, and centennial. I'll keep you posted