Xmas Ale recipe for Xmas in July

[Dawg LB Steve]

I have a Mr B Winter Dark HME and a Bewitched Ale Hme, I'm thinking the Winter Dark would be good for the base. I'm looking to probably start this around the middle of March to ensure it is ready for Xmas in July. Would like to try and have it come out somewhat like Great Lakes Xmas Ale or Thirsty Dogs 12 Dogs of Xmas. Any ideas on recipes to add onto the base HME I use would be much appreciated, would like to try to hit about 6.5-7% ABV, flavor more than ABV but don't want it too weak.Thanks in advance for any suggestions !

[jimjohson]

have you got a program like Qbrew? it will help you to see what your gonna have and is free. also works with MrBeer HMEs. http://www.thescrewybrewer.com/2010/09/ ... lator.html

[Dawg LB Steve]

Yep, Jim I do have QBrew downloaded, I was looking for recipe suggestions for flavorings and such to get to a Xmas Ale type beer. I do like that program, it helped me immensely on the Imperial IPA that is going to be bottled tonight.

[BlackDuck]

I did a Christmas Ale for this past Christmas. Although it was all grain, I added a little bit of cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla extract for a touch of the spice flavoring. It came out really nice too.

[Trollby]

Are you thinking the "Spiced Christmas Ale - Recipe" on Mr. Beer site?

I did it and found that it needs more Almond Extract (At bottle time) and that it has the "New" Mr. Beer/Coopers twang of POR that I don't like. I believe the Mullen-Spice brings it out.

It is not terrible, just wont make it with Mr. Beer ingredients again

[Dawg LB Steve]

Not really looking to do the Mr B spiced one per say, I was thinking of using the Winter Dark as a base cause I have one on hand and working from there. I can pick up any other DME's or hops and spices locally. I was just kind of looking if anybody had done a good extract brew that could point me in the right direction. BlackDuck for a LBK sized batch how much cinnamon, vanilla, and nutmeg would be good without being overpowered and would I throw the cinnamon stick in the fermenter?

[Trollby]

I used:
Briess LME - Golden Light 1.00 lb, Extract, Extract
Mr. Beer Winter Dark - HME 2.86 lb, Extract, Extract

Tettnanger (U.S.) - 0.50 oz, Pellet (at flame-out)
Almond Extract 0.50 tsp at Flameout
Mulling Spice 1.00 TBSP

The POR was there, Next year I am going to make with all my own ingredients no Mr. Beer HME

[BlackDuck]

For my 5 gallon batch I used 1 Teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/2 Teaspoon nutmeg and 1 Teaspoon vanilla extract. So, for and LBK, you could split that in half and you should be good. You see the entire recipe right here: viewtopic.php?f=17&t=902

[Dawg LB Steve]

Thanks for the input guys, really appreciated. Have a picture of the three I have done so far since Xmas. The last to be bottled tonight, Imperial IPA!

[swenocha]

FWIW... Here's a Great Lakes clone that I've sampled (not made myself). Obviously this is 5 gallon, so you could use the amounts of cinnamon/ginger they use here, but only at 40ish%:

Batch Size (Gallons): 5
Original Gravity: 1.075
Final Gravity: 1.018
IBU: 30
Boiling Time (Minutes): 60
Color: 11.6

10.00 lb Pale Malt (2 Row) US 73.64 %
1.00 lb Caramel/Crystal Malt - 40L 7.36 %
1.00 lb Wheat Malt 7.36 %
0.25 lb Special Roast 1.84 %
0.08 lb Roasted Barley 0.59 %

Cascade (60 min) 27 IBU
Hallertauer (10 min) 3 IBU

2 Cinnamon Stick (boil 60.0 min) Misc
1. oz Ginger Root (boil 60.0 min) Misc
1.25 lb Honey (Flame out) Sugar 9.20 %
1 Pkgs London Ale (Wyeast Labs #1028) Yeast-Ale

[Dawg LB Steve]

I have a little time to get this started gonna play with some of your guys inputs on QBrew this weekend, THANKS!

[jimjohson]

Thanks for the input guys, really appreciated. Have a picture of the three I have done so far since Xmas. The last to be bottled tonight, Imperial IPA!

how do you get them to stay on the wall like that? mine keep falling down.

[Dawg LB Steve]

Hot glue gun,Jim and two dabs not one!

[jimjohson]

[Dawg LB Steve]

I just stepped up to DME and partial grain with a stout, so with grain recipes and QBrew not as afraid of doing partial grains and boils now.