Xmas Brew help!

[Biggley]

Hello, I have been a long time lurker but now need your help!

I have mastered the simple - out of a can kit - and have made 120 pints so far this year.

What I want to do is make an Xmas flavored beer.

So my plan of attack - Get the normal out of can kit - then I want to add some flavors...

Cinnamon
Orange
Cardamon Pods

So how an earth do I do this? Do I brew beer as normal - but in primary fermentation stage have these flavors in a muslin cloth type tea bag - ? Then remove this and bottle for the secondary fermentation as normal?

If so how do I prepare these flavors for the normal 25 l brew as normal?

Would I get better flavor - if I did this then put some of the ingredients in the bottles for the secondary fermentation?

Thanks in advance for your help!

B

 

[Mark1964]

wouldnt advise putting the loose stuff in the bottles i would just throw it in the fermenter and when it comes to bottling just prime bottles and seive into another sterile fv first then bottle as normal :thumb:

 

[mattjazz2000]

I did one a few years back, just put them loose in the fermenter then strained into keg/bottles. Strangely though it made the beer very bitter.

 

[Biggley]

cool thats what i thought thanks!

any idea on recipes?

Thanks again in advance!

B

 

[mattjazz2000]

Name - Brewmaker Old English Ale
Date Of Brewing 1/11/10
Volume Of Water Added 22.5l
Amount Of Sugar Added 80g
Extras Added - Cinnamon Stick, 3 cloves, pinch nutmeg
Date Of Bottling 7/11/10
Original Gravity 1038
Final Gravity 1009
Approximate Alcohol Content 4%


You could use any kit for the beer, the spices were quite nice, not to strong. As I say though, it did have a very bitter finish.