Using artificial flavorings for an adjunct stout.

[MPBeer]

Hi. I'm new to home brewing and planning to brew a imperial stout with adjuncts. What I'm looking for right now is an 'artificial taste', if you get what I mean. For example, I had a beer called "Cycle / 3 Sons Rare Scooop", and this beer is a Napolitan ice cream stout with strawberry, vanilla and chocolate. Amazing thing about this beer is that this beer has the flavor of strawberry, vanilla and chocolate icecream. Not just strawberry, vanilla and chocolate. I think they may have used something artificial put in cheap ice creams.

So here is my question. Have anyone used artificial flavorings before? If so, how did you use it? It's hard to get a nice one in my country, so looking for something that they use in cafes. Would it make my beer taste artificial, but full of that flavor? Thanks.

 

[frankvw]

I've used artificial flavourings in several brews as an experiment. Chocolate essence in chocolate stouts is the first one that comes to mind. Played with rum essence as well. I've been using the little bottles that you add to home distilled alcohol. The results were pretty good.

The little bottles of concentrate that you mix with water to make artificial fruit juices held up less well. Strangely enough the colourants tended to disappear in the fermentation. The artificial sweeteners can be a little too much "in your face" and when the fermentable sugars disappear the residual acidity can be a bit overpowering. The only suggestion I can offer is that you try it and see what happens.

Sodastream cordial is something I've wanted to try but never got around to.

An easy way to experiment is to add a tiny amount to a glass of beer and see how it works out post-fermentation.

Note that a variety of commercial brewers use artificial flavourings in their beers. Chocolate stouts are the prime example, but our local brewzilla (SAB) produces a line of beers under the name "Flying Fish" that contain the same flavourings they put in their soda's.

 

[RM-MN]

I've used blueberry flavoring in a blueberry blond but it tasted too artificial for me.

 

[Dcpcooks]

Look for distilled extract rather than artificial flavorings.