Wedding beer recipe/style ideas

[mmaguy41]

I have recently asked my girlfriend to marry me, she said yes luckily. The wedding is going to be next april and i would like to brew a beer and put it away to be opened around the time of the wedding. I want it to be something special or unusual, i may do 2 or more different brews for this as im thinking some could be given as wedding favours for groomsmen etc. So any ideas? It has to be something that can handle a long time in the bottle or ideally requires this kind of ageing. So im thinking a high gravity abbey or maybe a strong chocolate milk stout or something? Any weird and wonderful ideas totally welcome. Cheers guys

 

[LeedsBrewer]

Firstly, CONGRATS :clap: :thumb:

A mead with frosted glass bottle http://www.gotmead.com/forum/showthread.php?t=20899 :thumb: this being appropriate as a traditional drink for those on honey moon etc...
Strawberry wine would also probably go down quite well for the new MRS

With regards beer i'd go for anything with a high percentage ABV :thumb:

 

[mmaguy41]

Cheers mate, ive not yet been able to make anything she will drink actually so might give the strawberry wine a go. I made a couple of fruit cider kits but they were pretty terrible

 

[graysalchemy]

OFFS not another one :lol: :lol:

No congratulations :thumb: and best of luck (you will certainly need it)

If I was you I would brew either something Dark and strong something that will benifit from being in the bottle for a year ie a barley wine a strong scottish heavy or a good hefty stout, or a traditional IPA not your flowery citrusy american impersonation, but a traditional english one with EKG and fuggles brewed to 7-8% quite bitter and left for a year. I think aleman gave a recipe once in which there was no aroma hops just bittering but becasue of the length of time in the bottle it would turn out mellow and rounded.

Also why not bottle in Champagne bottles so it can be shared, thats what i would do make it a bit more special.

:thumb: :thumb:

 

[fbsf]

Again, congrats :clap: :

For the beer I would also go for either a Russian Imperial Stout or an Imperial IPA - either will be 9% or above so will stay in the bottle happily for at least a couple of years.

For a wine, I would also go for a mead - again, will stay in the bottle for a good couple of years, and is pretty simple and reliable to make.

 

[calumscott]

I agree with Alistair.

I wasn't brewing at the time of my wedding. We put on a keg of Hobgoblin and a polypin of Hooky Best and a mountain of cans of pish, sorry, lager. There was no Hooky left and only about 20 pints of the Hobgoblin and a mountain of...

Strong ales and weddings just go together if you ask me. It's good to get a bit, erm, squiffy but there is so little time between the chatting and greeting and dancing...

I'd go with the big IPA, barleywine or "imperial" stout. Scottish heavies can be a bit daunting for the uninitiated (although once you start...)!

Love the champagne bottle idea! :thumb:

Might also be worth doing one of those flowery, citrussy hoppy fizzy pales (of a lesser amplitude...) nearer the time. That way you've got the balance of the comfy warm rich old beer and a more champagne-y feeling spritzy session beer.

 

[LeedsBrewer]

strawberry wine recipe from OldBloke viewtopic.php?p=327666#p327666 :thumb:

 

[graysalchemy]

Might also be worth doing one of those flowery, citrussy hoppy fizzy pales (of a lesser amplitude...) nearer the time.

Yes that is why didn't sugest a APA style as they are best drunk a little younger as the hops do fade with time (though my odd job is still wonderful just more mellow) :thumb:

I have actually been giving thought to a beer paired meal, and I thought of a very strong traditional IPA in champagne bottles for canopes then a hoppy citrusy APA with a fish starter (moule marinee or the likes) then an elderberry stout with Venison, folloed by my Scottish Heavy with a rich sweet rounded off with a mourish Barley wine served with a cheese board.

(that will get you thinking Calum) :lol:

 

[graysalchemy]

Pitty it is not a summer wedding as you could have done elderflower champers as well, but it wouldn't keep if you did it this spring for next.

Good I am beginning to sound like a girl planning your wedding :lol: :lol:

 

[bunkerbrewer]

Congratulations also! :

Did you know that the origin of the word "bridal" is from "Bride's Ale" - a special beer for a special occasion? :)

 

[mmaguy41]

Haha no i didnt know that, thanks for all the ideas guys i like the idea of a traditional IPA and maybe the stout too as i have alot of chocolate malt and roasted barley lying around.

 

[JKaranka]

I've started to brew for mine this summer... one polypin of each monthly brew is set apart. I just have to make sure to brew all the high abv stuff now and all the lighter stuff (wheat, apas, etc.) closer to the date. If you have plenty of time some imperial stout or barleywine is nice, just remember that lots of your guests might not drink them!

 

[calumscott]

Might also be worth doing one of those flowery, citrussy hoppy fizzy pales (of a lesser amplitude...) nearer the time.

Yes that is why didn't sugest a APA style as they are best drunk a little younger as the hops do fade with time (though my odd job is still wonderful just more mellow) :thumb:

I have actually been giving thought to a beer paired meal, and I thought of a very strong traditional IPA in champagne bottles for canopes then a hoppy citrusy APA with a fish starter (moule marinee or the likes) then an elderberry stout with Venison, folloed by my Scottish Heavy with a rich sweet rounded off with a mourish Barley wine served with a cheese board.

(that will get you thinking Calum) :lol:

It certainly has! It's got me thinking "Where?" and "When?"

:rofl:

 

[graysalchemy]

It certainly has! It's got me thinking "Where?" and "When?"

Unfortunately only in my dreams.

:lol: :lol:

The other stipulation would be to make everything from scratch so that would mean the cheese and the Panettone for the bread and butter pudding as well and any Charcuterie for the canapes :lol: :lol:

Off to find the cheese and sausage forum :lol: :lol:

 

[pittsy]

well done on asking the question :clap: ,
Depends on what you like drinking and of course your guests but most of all your bride , have you thought of an oktoberfest lager . They are stronger better lagers that often need time to mature . Also you could do some belgian ales , some are very nice but most are strong which means they keep well .All the best and good luck :

 

[wilsoa1111]

dont forget about a high abv cider (dark sugar or honey works well)-well worth the aging and a nice cheap alternative to champagne (nice with a bit of elderflower cordial or other fruity cordial)
ps congrats