Xmas beer gone a-rye

[ebeero]

Made my first Xmas beer. Monster Mash Winter Warmer.

4lb hopped export ale McCormick malt extract.
3lb Light DME.
1oz Northern Brewer 15 minutes.
4 Tbs Cinnamon. (Way to much) 10 minutes.
1/4 tsp Ginger. 10 minutes.
1/4 tsp Nutmeg. 10 minutes.
1/4 tsp All Spice. 10 minutes.
1/4 tsp Ground Cloves. 10 minutes.
4 Tbs Vanilla Extract. 10 minutes.
4 Tbs Orange extract. 10 minutes.

Batch Size 5 Gallons.
OG 1060
FG 1014

Tasted the beer as I was kegging it and boy can you taste the cinnamon. While I will drink it I'm afraid those going to the Xmas party might not.

Looking for any suggestions to tame the cinnamon. My plan was to make another batch or export ale with nothing in it and mix the 2 in a 12 gallon container and then siphon back to 2 5 gallon kegs.

If this does not cut it enough I may wined up with 10 gallons of beer for my head. Not that that is the end of the world, but I believe beer is best when shared.

Thanks

[Mill Rat]

Originally posted by ebeero
My plan was to make another batch or export ale with nothing in it and mix the 2 in a 12 gallon container and then siphon back to 2 5 gallon kegs.Thanks Good plan. Let us know how it turns out.

[Thirsty in NY]

My advice would be to mix them also and see how that works.

[ebeero]

I will follow up after the mix. Thanks for the input.

[dparsons]

You might want to mix a couple bottles worth and see if it is the right balance. Better to find out you need a little more earlier.

[Tom C]

Originally posted by ebeero
Made my first Xmas beer. Monster Mash Winter Warmer.

4lb hopped export ale McCormick malt extract.
3lb Light DME.
1oz Northern Brewer 15 minutes.
4 Tbs Cinnamon. (Way to much) 10 minutes.
1/4 tsp Ginger. 10 minutes.
1/4 tsp Nutmeg. 10 minutes.
1/4 tsp All Spice. 10 minutes.
1/4 tsp Ground Cloves. 10 minutes.
4 Tbs Vanilla Extract. 10 minutes.
4 Tbs Orange extract. 10 minutes.

Batch Size 5 Gallons.
OG 1060
FG 1014

Tasted the beer as I was kegging it and boy can you taste the cinnamon. While I will drink it I'm afraid those going to the Xmas party might not.

Looking for any suggestions to tame the cinnamon. My plan was to make another batch or export ale with nothing in it and mix the 2 in a 12 gallon container and then siphon back to 2 5 gallon kegs.

If this does not cut it enough I may wined up with 10 gallons of beer for my head. Not that that is the end of the world, but I believe beer is best when shared.

Thanks

I have found the best time to add the spices is while kegging and to add only up to 2 teaspoons. I know this may be in hind sight for you but as brewers we certainly learn from our mistakes. Can't be afraid to try things...I am sure there were many belgian brewers who did similar things with wilder spices!

Tom C

[JohnnyV]

I'd try with a smaller amount than 2:1 first....make a 2.5 gallon batch and mix the two and taste....if that doesn't work, make another 2.5. I'd rather go the slow route rather than fast and get a good beer. If you add a full 5 gallons right off the bat, you could "water down" the beer too much and have a flavorless mess.

[Thirsty in NY]

I just tasted my first pumpkn ale last night and had a similar problem. It's good, but I put in a few too many cloves.

[ebeero]

Just a quick follow up. Just kicked the last of the 10 Gallons. It still was a tad strong, but most people enjoyed it.

Thanks for the input.