What would you do?

[tooblue02]

So I am just passing the two weeks in the primary fermenter with my smashing pumpkin spin off... The problem is that my wife and I both agreed that there wasn't much of a pumpkin spice taste yet (sampled for FG which was at 1.014 and OG was 1.062). Can I add more pumpkin spice (Hesitant to do so)? Should I wait and just bottle in another week and hope for a better taste when carbonated? Maybe add some hops to hop it up a little bit and have some fun with it? I dry hopped my first batch (IPA) and it was delectamable, and will be enjoyed during football tonight! SOOOOOO What would you do?



oh yea, the pumpkin spice that was added was from a small jar that I got from a really nice spice store, initially it smelled really really good!

 

[beerclone]

Add some more at bottling. I am planning to so that for my pumpkin ale if the spice flavor isn't quite where I want it. Never tried it before but that's what I'm planning.

 

[aiptasia]

^ this. Add more at bottling. Pour a few 4 ounce samples and judge how much spice to add to four ounces. Multiply by 3 to get the amount for 12 ounces (a regular beer's worth). Then multiply by 54 to get the amount needed for a five gallon batch (5 gal = 640 oz / 12 = approx 54).

 

[tooblue02]

Do you just sprinkle it in or are you planning on adding it to some hot water or something to break it so it doesn't clump? I had issues with that when I added it at the hot break. Thanks!

 

[NTexBrewer]

You could do multiple things. Just depends on your patience.

1. Rack to Secondary but bottle two bottles and condition with Conditioning Tabs. Let carbonate and taste. Then you can decide if you need more spice. If the first one is not spiced enough add spice to the second bottle after pouring. This will give you a little idea how the spice and carbonation combine.

2. Rack to bottling bucket. Bottle 12 with no additional spice, 12 with a little more spice, 12 with a little more .... Or any combination you want.

 

[shtoive87]

You can also make a "spice tea" by letting the spices soak in vodka then straining the liquid into a dropper. Drop to taste in a 12 oz bottle, then scale up to your batch. That would give you the most control over how much spice to add.

 

[ScottG58]

I did pumpkin beer last year from Brewing Classic Styles. Jamil suggests adding a little spice, waiting a couple of days and then tasting. If it needs more spice, add a little more. Repeat until it tastes like you think it should. Rack and bottle when it tastes right. You want a pumpkin beer to have a subtle spice flavor. You do not want the spices to overpower it. I followed Jamil's advice last year and ended up with a very nice beer. Patience is key. I will do another pumpkin beer when I can find pie pumpkins. Good Luck.

 

[GunnyB]

How much spice did you add? I used 1/2 tsp at the end of the boil and while the spice was subtle in the carboy, it was fantastic in the glass

 

[tooblue02]

I added 1 teaspoon at the end of the boil. I think it might be different in the bottle, I could tell there was a hint of something but it also didn't taste right since was still. uncarbonated

 

[bxtzd3]

im in the same boat. i was going to add some to the priming sugar when i was ready to bottle so when it goes into the bottle bucket i get a nice mix.

 

[beerclone]

This is what I am planning to do too. Try the beer when u take gravity then add the spice level you want to the bottling bucket.

 

[tooblue02]

Just racked it to the secondary tonight, mostly to make room in my primary for a stout. Took a reading to check to see where I was and I am still right around 1.011-1.012 so I think I am good for another week, wanted to see if the secondary will also clear it up a little more than my first batch (which is still delicious and clear). Spoke with MLHBS and they mentioned that a fully carbonated beer will taste much different than the sample (a statement I have heard on here several times) so I am going to leave and see how she comes out, I have faith it will taste good, after all I brewed it! RDWHAHB!

Cheers