Christmas Ale

[jamesemt]

Hi all, I was thinking about attempting a christmas ale from a basic ale kit (any ides which kit? - IPA??) - I aren't experienced enough to start using the mini mash route, but want to be a bit more adventurous. What will happen if I add the ingredients directly to the wort? Or boil them in a pan with a couple of litres of water? If I could get this done, then there is just enough time before christmas for it to mature nicely - what do you think?

[Brownbeard]

Don't be scared off by a mini-mash. I just did my first, it was remarkably easy to do.

[sallad]

you might try something a little on the dark side... maybe a porter kit and add some spices- try some combinations of cinnamon, ginger, orange peel, vanilla, etc (pick a couple, not all of them). for a 5gallon batch, 2-3 cinnamon sticks, or 1/2 - 1 teaspoon ginger would be plenty, and so on. go light on the spices, so they aren't overpowering. if its not spiced enough, you can always add more next time you brew it!

the easiest method would be to follow the kit directions, but reduce the amount of hops to let the spices show through. try adding the spices in the last 5-10 minutes of your boil. other than that, you should be able to follow a standard recipe.

[YamahaXS]

I just tasted my Holiday Ale this weekend. Its been about 2 months since I brewed it. Anyways, its pretty damn good.

6-7 #s LME
2 oz hops
1 nutmeg
1 oz ginger
some dried orange peel (1/2 oz maybe)
1 cinnamon stick

I think I used Wyeast ESB

[Beerconnoisseur]

MoreBeer (http://www.morebeer.com/detail.php3?pid=KIT610) has a Christmas Ale, that you can use as a starting point, with cinnamon, ginger, and allspice. You can modify their recipe, based on how much you like the results...

[kevin]

I would think being a christmas ale you would want to add eggnog?

[YamahaXS]

speaking of eggnog, Martha Stewarts recipe is really really reallly good. It will also clog your arteries and get you drunk very quickly.

[jamesemt]

problem is, I don't know what I want in a christmas ale...!!

[Jeff]

Hey Yamaha, I did some searching for Martha Stewart's Egg Nog, and couldn't find it. Do you happen to have it handy? I did find one reference to the episode in which she made the egg nog, I believer the exact quote might have been "She used more Vodka than all of freakin Russia has".

[YamahaXS]

Originally posted by Jeff
Hey Yamaha, I did some searching for Martha Stewart's Egg Nog, and couldn't find it. Do you happen to have it handy? I did find one reference to the episode in which she made the egg nog, I believer the exact quote might have been "She used more Vodka than all of freakin Russia has".

I found this at here (http://www.cooken.com/WebRecipes/MarthaStewart/html/Eggnog.html). It rings a bells so its probably close if not exact. Also, read the note at the end. heheh this is unfit for babies and pregnant women because of the eggs and not the gallon of hard liquor!


---------------------------------
Eggnog
Cookbook Martha Stewart
Category Name Beverages
Servings 26
Serving Size
Yield 0 Yield Unit

Quantity Unit Pre-instructions Ingredient Post-instructions
3 Cup(s) bourbon
2 Cup(s) cognac
1/2 Cup(s) dark rum
1 Dash(es) Freshly grated

nutmeg
1 1/2 Quart(s) heavy cream
12 eggs, separated
1 1/2 Cup(s) superfine sugar
1 Quart(s) whole milk

Method

1. In a very large bowl, beat egg yolks until thick and pale yellow. Gradually add sugar to yolks. With a wire whisk, beat in milk and 1 quart cream. Add bourbon, rum, and cognac, stirring constantly.

2. Just before serving, beat egg whites until stiff. Fold into mixture. Whip remaining 1/2 quart heavy cream until stiff, and fold in. Sprinkle with nutmeg.

Note: Raw eggs should not be used in food prepared for pregnant women, babies, young children, the elderly, or anyone whose health is compromised.

[Jeff]

Did anybody happen to notice that at the bottom of the Martha Stewart recipe it warns not to use raw eggs in food prepared for pregnant women and children. Maybe they should have noticed that there is also 5 1/2 cups of liquor in the recipe as well. :)

[YamahaXS]

Jeff, have you been hitting the eggnog? I made that exact point in my post before yours. :D cheers and beers dude!

[Jeff]

My bad Yamaha, I found this page to print for a Christmas party and noticed it again and probably thought I was the only one to figure it out.

I ended up not making the egg nog, but I did bring 18 homebrews to work today for the office Christmas party. That might make for even more interesting posts later on. :)

[YamahaXS]

Originally posted by Jeff
My bad Yamaha, I found this page to print for a Christmas party and noticed it again and probably thought I was the only one to figure it out.

I ended up not making the egg nog, but I did bring 18 homebrews to work today for the office Christmas party. That might make for even more interesting posts later on. :)

hehe Jeff, I thought I was the only one who did that.

Don't feel too bad about not making the eggnog since it probably has a weeks worth of fat and calories in one serving. Good job on sharing the brew!