Aloe Vera Ale

[barleypopmaker]

I just brewed this today, but have been planning on going for it for a few weeks now. I don't have the results on how good it will be or not. I post those in a few weeks. But for me, this was a pretty daring recipe creation. I usually stick with fruit like cherry or blueberry, and don't go out of the ordinary with grains. What I am shooting for is a refreshing summer ale with a hint of Aloe Vera. To me Aloe Vera juice is very strong in flavor so I only went with 1 cup for a 5 gallon batch. Lilly of the Desert makes a 100% pure Aloe Vera juice, that is what I used here. You can usually find it in the natural foods isle of any grocery store.

7lbs John Bull Light extract (liquid)
5.5 gallons of spring water
1/2 package Burton salts
1 lb Carmel malt (40L)
1oz Northern Brewer
1/2oz Willamette
1/2oz Willamette
1tsp Irish Moss
8oz (1 cup) Pure Aloe Vera Juice
Wyeast European Ale Yeast (Smack Pack)

The brewing process I used is as follows. I steeped the grains for about 1/2hr at 150-160 degrees then remove them. Add the Burton salts and when the water comes to a boil add the extract and Northern Brewer. With 15 min left in the boil add 1/2 oz of Willamette and the Irish Moss. Just before you remove the wort from the heat, add the other 1/2 oz of Willamette hops. Remove from heat, and Dump in the Aloe Vera juice once the boil ends. Once the wort cools combine the other 2.5 gallons of spring water and the cooled wort in the primary and pitch the yeast.

That is where I am at right now. Does anyone see any reason why this wouldn't turn out? I think it should be a good hot summer day ale. Aloe Vera juice has a strong flavor, but is strangely refreshing in a way. I think it should add a unique bite to the brew.

[Grog]

I've never tasted aloe vera! What's it taste like? I'm confounded and intrigued. Do let us know how it turns out.

[unkle bik]

Why?
Willl it cure heartburn?

[barleypopmaker]

I can't really explain what Aloe Vera tastes like. It does not taste even close to like anything else I can think of.



"why?"
Don't know. I wanted to try something different, something I havn't see before.

"Does it Cure Heartburn?"
LOL. I will let you know. Hey, if it doesn't turn out I can always rub it on my sunburn right?

[HogieWan]

Originally posted by barleypopmaker
"Does it Cure Heartburn?"
LOL. I will let you know. Hey, if it doesn't turn out I can always rub it on my sunburn right?

Or bathe in it.

Is it just me or would everyone enjoy bathing in beer?

[fretlessman71]

I know that beer is added to some shampoos... :)

[barleypopmaker]

I had some of the raw beer this weekend when I bottled it. The color was beautiful, same color as Anchor Steam. It had a clean taste to it, and the hops bitterness was fairly low, and it finished slightly sweet, with a very faint hint of the Aloe Vera. You might not even know it was there if you weren't searching for it, but my pallet is not fine tuned. If I brew it again, I would double the amount of Aloe Vera. I carbonated using Coopers Carbonation Drops, and will try it again after about 10 days. So far it looks like this will be a good thirst quencher. So I don't think I was too far off the mark as far as making a good summer beer, but still missed the flavor I was going for.

[barleypopmaker]

Actually turned out quite nice. It basically tastes the same as I described in my previous post, but now that it is carbonated, it has a better feel about it. I may be tasting things, but I think the Aloe Vera has actually stepped forward a bit more. The taste comes out in the finish, followed by a lingering light malty flavor. The hops bitterness is low when you swallow, but it is there, and seems to pop it's head out quick as the malty afterglow fades . This is a very drinkable brew, and will be great on a hot day. Will definitely brew this one again for sure.

I am not too good at all the lingo, but I did the best I could to paint a picture of what it tastes like.

[BrewingSince16]

I'm curious why you used "carbonation drops". I thought they were only to rescue an uncarbonated bottled beer. Isn't easier to just add 3/4 cup corn sugar or 1.5 cups malt in some boiled water to the bottling bucket. I've found the spray malt gives you a fantastic guinness like head above and beyond the corn sugar. What does the carbonation drops do?

[barleypopmaker]

You can use them instead of corn sugar. Both are pretty simple, but I have come to prefer to use the drops. They are more expensive than using corn sugar, but you don't run the risk of uneven mixing of the sugar. All you do is rack your beer into the bottle and drop in one drop for a 12oz bottle, and cap it. Each bottle gets the same dose. I have just come to like them, and all my beer has been perfect as far as carbonation levels, that is the only reason I use them. It's just what I prefer.

[barleypopmaker]

Originally posted by BrewingSince16
I've found the spray malt gives you a fantastic guinness like head above and beyond the corn sugar. What does the carbonation drops do?

I guess I didn't answer this question. The type of head you get from the carbonation drops is similar to what you get with corn sugar, but since I only used DME once to carbonate, I can't really make a good comparison. However, I always use some grains with my extract recipes and I think that helps contribute to a not only a more complex flavor, but helps with head retention. I guess it all boils down to what you like to use and what works best for your style of brewing.