Christmas spice advice!

[Hopping_Mad]

Bit late in the year I admit, but I finally got my Christmas ale on last night - Milestone Old Home Wrecker with 500 gms of extra dark spraymalt brewed to 21 ltrs. SG of 1056 so should be strong but not in Wales Ales territory!

My brewing book says to stick my cinnamon and my star anise after 4 days in the FV, but doesn't say how much?

Any tips from experienced Crimbo Brewers? I'm after subtle, not overpowering!!!

[Exiled Bradfordian]

Hi

Looking at this thread: viewtopic.php?t=68231 it looks like one star is as high as you want to go if subtlety's your bag.

No idea about the cinnamon, sorry, I just remembered reading about star anise on here the other day.

[Grantbeeston]

I boiled two stars for ten minutes and added straight to the fv, didn't smell very strong, I'll let you know when I bottle what it's like.

[Grantbeeston]

Should it add more or less flavour by waiting for days before adding it to the FV?

[Francois]

I'd imagine the longer stuff steeps= more flavour extraction...

[Grantbeeston]

I thought steeping was leaving it after you have boiled it, to let it cool, then add it?

Or is steeping something totally different?

[Hopping_Mad]

Steeping I think is just generic for sticking in a liquid for a period of time.

Now I'm not sure whether sticking it straight in the FV or in boiling water is best!!!

[Grantbeeston]

Let's hope someone knows what their talking about helps you!

[BluePanda]

I boiled my spices and let them steep for a while before straining and adding to the FV at the beginning. I would imagine that boiling them would extract more flavour. I don't like star anise, but used 3.5 cinnamon sticks, 2 nutmegs, 2 cloves and rind of 2 oranges. It's been fermenting for just over a week and I'm very pleased with the subtle mulled wine Christmassy taste.

[WalesAles]

HM,
I made my Christmas Brew last Year with a 1/4 Tsp each of these spices in a 10Lt Brew.
Nutmeg, Allspice, Cinnamon, Coriander, Ginger, Zest of 1 Orange and 1 Lemon and 3 Cloves.
Bring them all to the boil in 1/2Lt of your Brew, simmer for 20 mins, strain into your Brew!
And you`ve guessed, It tasted Bloody Lovely Mun!
Simply Kit Brown Ale 7.7%

WA

[Hopping_Mad]

Thank you WA - I've got some ratios to go on now.

Probably half what you used in 21 ltrs of wort is probably what I need for my more sensitive taste buds!!!

Perhaps you could do a 'Turkey ale', similar to cock ale, for Christmas? Bung in some cranberries?