Autumn Seasonal Beer Thunderstruck Pumpkin Ale (AG and Extract versions)

[HootHootHoot]

Is it necessary to rack to a secondary? Couldn't you leave it like most ale brewers typically do?

Just wondering... My secondary is lagering. I could rack over to a 6 gallon carboy though

 

[moscoeb]

Is it necessary to rack to a secondary? Couldn't you leave it like most ale brewers typically do?

Just wondering... My secondary is lagering. I could rack over to a 6 gallon carboy though

I guess you could leave it. But I believe the racking was to get it off of the large trub left by the pumpkin.

 

[tuckferrorists]

Did you guys use a starter? Mynstarter jug already has lager yeast going for a Munich helles I'm doing Friday, with pumpkin ale on Saturday. I've never had a problem pitching my yeast into ales without a starter. I don't want to do this incorrectly though

Thanks

I didn't use a starter and had the quickest, liveliest fermentation I've ever had.

 

[HootHootHoot]

I didn't use a starter and had the quickest, liveliest fermentation I've ever had.

Me too. Less than 12 hours

 

[HootHootHoot]

I guess you could leave it. But I believe the racking was to get it off of the large trub left by the pumpkin.

Good point. Maybe I'll rack it into the 6 gallon. It's 3 gal anyways so it'll have dead space in the carboy.

I've always had some kind of fermentation continue (very slow action in the air lock) after racking so maybe that'll eventually be co2 more than oxygen

 

[lex990]

oh yeah, it's that time again, can't wait to brew this again i found i liked it best after being in the cellar for 3 months

 

[lawnboy881]

This is just canned pumpkin you are using, right?

Will be attempting my first pumpkin ale this fll. Want it to be great!

 

[tuckferrorists]

This is just canned pumpkin you are using, right?

Will be attempting my first pumpkin ale this fll. Want it to be great!

yes, that's what I used

 

[HootHootHoot]

yes, that's what I used

+1

Libby's canned pumpkin

 

[scottvin]

I just want to say the pumpkin makes the 5 gallon grain bill so very heavy. I lost about a gallon of the wort.

 

[moscoeb]

I just want to say the pumpkin makes the 5 gallon grain bill so very heavy. I lost about a gallon of the wort.

Yuri said that too. That's why he recommended 6.5 gal to get 5gal into the secondary.
I'm getting ready to rack mine into secondary, I can't wait to try this!!

 

[scottvin]

Yuri said that too. That's why he recommended 6.5 gal to get 5gal into the secondary.
I'm getting ready to rack mine into secondary, I can't wait to try this!!

I meant I lost it on the floor. . Spilled everywhere

 

[moscoeb]

I meant I lost it on the floor. . Spilled everywhere

Oh!! That sucks!!

 

[MMJfan]

Brewed the extract recipe last night and it smelled DELICIOUS during the boil!!! Spread pumpkin pie seasoning over the pumpkin for the first 15 minutes of the bake and spread brown sugar over the pumpkin for the last 5 minutes of the bake.

My OG was a little high at 1.059. I'm guessing it's because of the brown sugar added to the pumpkin during the bake?

Can't wait to drink this beer!!!

 

[brices121]

Looks like this is tried and true. Plan on brewing the extract version this weekend. Just a question on the pumpkin. It says to add for the boil, did anyone have an issue with the pumpkin getting stuck on the bottom of the kettle and burning? I know whole pumpkins float, but I am not sure about purée.

 

[ChrisTags]

No problems at all. It surprisingly mixes in quite well, and separates once in primary.

 

[HootHootHoot]

Looks like this is tried and true. Plan on brewing the extract version this weekend. Just a question on the pumpkin. It says to add for the boil, did anyone have an issue with the pumpkin getting stuck on the bottom of the kettle and burning? I know whole pumpkins float, but I am not sure about purée.

Don't you stir your boils?

 

[MMJfan]

I didn't have any problems.

 

[brices121]

Don't you stir your boils?

I do but more ona periodic basis. With stove top I couldn't keep a boil if I constantly stirred. Now I have a 185k btu burner so that should be a different story. I'll relax and have a homebrew.

 

[brewski09]

Good point. Maybe I'll rack it into the 6 gallon. It's 3 gal anyways so it'll have dead space in the carboy.

I've always had some kind of fermentation continue (very slow action in the air lock) after racking so maybe that'll eventually be co2 more than oxygen

Boil off some sugar and water for 15 minutes (barely any really) and add this to secondary for a little CO2 head from the fermentation it will create. I do this with my meads and my Oaked beers I plan on aging for a while in secondary to prevent oxidation.

 

[moscoeb]

Racked over to secondary, added 1.5 tsp of spice. Only had about 4.5 gal, but started with just over 6 in my 6 gal carboy. Still tastes good, I have high expectations still!

 

[tuckferrorists]

Racked over to secondary, added 1.5 tsp of spice. Only had about 4.5 gal, but started with just over 6 in my 6 gal carboy. Still tastes good, I have high expectations still!

Did you taste it after adding the spice mix? Did you think it was spiced?

 

[moscoeb]

Did you taste it after adding the spice mix? Did you think it was spiced?

Ya, I took my hydro and taste sample after the spice adding.
I smelled/tasted the biscuit malt as I was bringing the glass up, tasted the spice initially, and finished with a touch of pumpkin. Very good, it was strong, but I had just added it a minute before! I assume it will lessen slightly as it ages. I'm happy with it so far.

 

[tuckferrorists]

Ya, I took my hydro and taste sample after the spice adding.
I smelled/tasted the biscuit malt as I was bringing the glass up, tasted the spice initially, and finished with a touch of pumpkin. Very good, it was strong, but I had just added it a minute before! I assume it will lessen slightly as it ages. I'm happy with it so far.

I was actually a little disappointed by the lack of spice from my hydro sample right after adding. Hopefully it will come through more. Or I can always add more since I'll be legging.

 

[moscoeb]

I was actually a little disappointed by the lack of spice from my hydro sample right after adding. Hopefully it will come through more. Or I can always add more since I'll be legging.

How much did you use? I did 1.5-1 3/4 tsp. just kinda threw it in there. I had read from someone else that the 1tsp wasn't quite enough and they added more. I like the spice flavors so I figured it couldn't hurt to add extra.

 

[AdamPag]

My LHBS doesnt seem to carry Biscuit Malt, what other roasted malt could I sub in instead? just standard Chocolate?

 

[Yuri_Rage]

Vienna in place of biscuit. Don't use chocolate malt.

 

[FuzzeWuzze]

So what seems to be the general consensus on what the best spice(brand & name) besides the Pampered Chef stuff?

There is no real place to purchase it here in Portland Oregon area as far as i can tell, and i dont want to pay $6.75 to ship a $6 2.5oz container of spice.

 

[moscoeb]

So what seems to be the general consensus on what the best spice(brand & name) besides the Pampered Chef stuff?

There is no real place to purchase it here in Portland Oregon area as far as i can tell, and i dont want to pay $6.75 to ship a $6 2.5oz container of spice.

I just went to meijer (regular grocery store) and picked up regular pumpkin pie spice in the spice aisle.

 

[tuckferrorists]

How much did you use? I did 1.5-1 3/4 tsp. just kinda threw it in there. I had read from someone else that the 1tsp wasn't quite enough and they added more. I like the spice flavors so I figured it couldn't hurt to add extra.

I did 1.5 tsp. of pampered chef.