hops for a maple syrup stout

[cul8rv8]

So I'm trying to use my culinary skills (lol) to figure out what variety of hop would work well with maple syrup, and I'm thinking of a couple different ideas, but wondered if anyone has any words of advice.

I'm going to be using some Grade B Vermont maple syrup, and was thinking of using Fuggles, Goldings, or maybe Simcoe. Never used Simcoe before, but I would think the pine like aroma would go well with the maple flavor.

I'm still working out where I want the recipe to go exactly, so I really have no specifics yet, but I do plan on using syrup both in the boil and at the end of the boil. For all I know this may end up being a maple syrup oatmeal stout. Be like breakfast in a keg. :)

So any suggestions are welcome, not just on the hops but any ideas.

[Mill Rat]

It'll be tough to get the maple flavor anything over subtle, so I'd pick all my other ingredients with a mind toward moderation. I'm not one to usually go with a really neutral yeast, but this would be the time to use a Chico ale yeast or a german lager yeast. I'd also stick with a two-row ale (Maris Otter or Golden Promise) or a pilsner base malt (or extra light malt extracts) with between 1/2 to one pound of a fairly neutral crystal or cara-something for a little body (I'm assuming the maple syrup will be highly fermentable). As for the hops, either engish or german/czech noble varieties would work best. I'd avoid the Simcoe, you don't want dueling pines and maples. I think the pines would win.

[wortchillergoal]

At the risk of repeating myself, like I have not done so before, I offer this on maple syrup. Another home brewer that I met primed his beer with maple syrup. It took quite some time for the maple flavor to present itself in the taste. It was very nice. Thus I have to agree with Mill Rat on the point that you want to be moderate with any other ingredients.

[dparsons]

I'd think the Fuggles, having a soft aroma, would let the maple come through more and not fight it. I'd be less inclined on the Simcoe.

[cul8rv8]

all good points, thanks guys! Yeah, I like the subtle maple flavor idea, that's what I'm thinking about. Kinda one of those when you give it to someone who comes over, they say, "oooh, that's good, it's got something there, not sure what it is." "It's the maple syrup." "OK, yeah, I taste that now."

The first homebrewing experience I ever had, many many years ago, my cousin made a stout that I assisted with, and we decided to do something a little crazy and throw a little cinnamon in the boil. And you got a hint of something different, but until you told someone there was cinnamon in there, they were never quite sure what it was. :)

[Mill Rat]

The other way to get maple flavor is a spice called Fenugreek. I have it in the spice cabinet, but haven't tried putting in a beer yet. Like all other spices, it comes with the risk of using too much of a good thing.

[cul8rv8]

Fenugreek? I can honestly say I've never heard of that spice... And that's rare for me, what with being addicted to Food Network, and my best friend wants to go to culinary school and she is a phenomenal cook, she knows so much more about spices and cooking in general than I do. I will have to look for that one next time I'm at the store.

[Mill Rat]

You may end up having to go to specialty source like Penzey's (.com). Your foodie friend may already know where to shop for it.

[Fweezle]

I'd think the Fuggles, having a soft aroma, would let the maple come through more and not fight it. I'd be less inclined on the Simcoe.

That's what I used for my maple stout back in March. Worked out beautifully. Low key aroma that worked well with the maple. I used 16oz last 10 mins of boil and primed with 12oz. Took about a month to condition out but it was wonderful after that.

[Mill Rat]

I used 16oz last 10 mins of boil and primed with 12oz.How many gallons was that batch?

[Fweezle]

How many gallons was that batch?

5 gallons.

[Mill Rat]

I'd think the Fuggles, having a soft aroma, would let the maple come through more and not fight it. I'd be less inclined on the Simcoe.
I used 16oz last 10 mins of boil and primed with 12oz.

OK, now I think I've got it. You were referring to the maple syrup being added in 16 and 12 ounce amounts, not the Fuggle hops!

[Fweezle]

OK, now I think I've got it. You were referring to the maple syrup being added in 16 and 12 ounce amounts, not the Fuggle hops!

My God no! :eek:

[Mad Scientist]

My God no! :eek:

Well why not, you guys are actring like too many hops is a bad thing :D

[Fweezle]

Well why not, you guys are actring like too many hops is a bad thing :D

I would think with that much hops it would glow green in the dark.:D

[Mad Scientist]

Well, I can tell you with authority that 16oz does not make it glow green ;)

[darylM]

Well, I can tell you with authority that 16oz does not make it glow green ;)

but now you do :)

[Mad Scientist]

Well, a full pound of hops makes it tastes damn good

[darylM]

what is the schedule for a pound of hops?

[Mad Scientist]

After collecting wort, add them to the boil in specific increments. ;)

[hooky]

If he gave you the specifics on his 1 lb pound hop schedule, he'd be giving away the secret to his divisional Best Porter in the 2007 Longshot.

[darylM]

If he gave you the specifics on his 1 lb pound hop schedule, he'd be giving away the secret to his divisional Best Porter in the 2007 Longshot.

OH, that is the beer with a pound of hops. If I knew, I would not have asked the question. I was just curious on how one puts in 16oz of hops into a 5 gal batch of beer.

[Mad Scientist]

OH, that is the beer with a pound of hops. If I knew, I would not have asked the question. I was just curious on how one puts in 16oz of hops into a 5 gal batch of beer.

Hmm...a pound of hops ina baltic porter....I think it would ruin both...ie. the porter ruined by the excess hops, and the wonderful hops ruined by the porter.

I assure you, a pound of hops goes into five gallons (ok, 7.5 gallons at the start) of beer quite easily, the question SHOULD be how to get 5 gallons of beer out of one pound of leaf hops. :p

[darylM]

Hmm...a pound of hops ina baltic porter....I think it would ruin both...ie. the porter ruined by the excess hops, and the wonderful hops ruined by the porter.

I assure you, a pound of hops goes into five gallons (ok, 7.5 gallons at the start) of beer quite easily, the question SHOULD be how to get 5 gallons of beer out of one pound of leaf hops. :p

I could see it. It would depend on the hops and where you put them. I would be inclined to use fuggles or EKG and have a lot of it at the end and middle of the boil. Also Baltic Porters can have a much higher OG than brown or robust so the malt can still come through. I would think a FG of about 1.018 to 1.021 would be appropriate with all that hop aroma and flavor.

[Mad Scientist]

In the case of the IIPA in question, I used 5 or 6 different types of strong american hops. I can't remember what the IBU was, but it was high.

[darylM]

More than likely > 400, knowing you

[hooky]

I should have stuck a smiley face after my porter comment.

My bad.