17 replies to this topic

[Deerslyr]

So I was thumbing through the paper yesterday and came across an ad for Cost Plus World Market shilling this Pecan Ale. Got me to thinking that this seems different and might be fun to brew. I'm wondering a few things (mind you I haven't picked up a sixer YET)...1. Has anyone tried this? What are your thoughts and impressions?2. If you have tried it, what is your best guess on a recipe? I have not looked into it yet, so I apologize if this is premature. I just want to get some discussion going and sometimes we look to different places for answers to making clones. I'd like to try to come to a consensus on using recipes.3. How do you think the brewer overcame the nut oil issue??? Clearly, I'm not going to do this if it's going to be a head killer. Thanks and Discuss!

[DaBearSox]

When I made my PB&J Porter I used powdered peanut butter to overcome the oil issue...and head retention was just fine...I am guessing they dont make powdered pecan so you will probably have to go with a pecan extract or something rather than the real deal...

[Deerslyr]

When I made my PB&J Porter I used powdered peanut butter to overcome the oil issue...and head retention was just fine...I am guessing they dont make powdered pecan so you will probably have to go with a pecan extract or something rather than the real deal...

No... not a route I'd like to go. I'm not a fan of using extract like that because it doesn't feel natural to rely on a product like that. Besides, I don't have the patience to be testing to determine what amount is sufficient.

[DaBearSox]

ok well then the only other suggestion would be going with the drying out route....make a pecan butter and then spread it on paperbags so that it starts sucking the oil out. You'll have to keep changing the bags until you think you have a product that is dried out enough....but this would involve patience...

[CarlosM]

No... not a route I'd like to go. I'm not a fan of using extract like that because it doesn't feel natural to rely on a product like that. Besides, I don't have the patience to be testing to determine what amount is sufficient.

if you can get it Abita's Harvest Pecan Ale is damn good so maybe you could reference that too.

[jayb151]

CMS, That's funny because every Abita beer I've had has been alright. It's not great, and It's not bad. My girlfriend went to Abita Springs over the summer and said the tap room was great, but I havn't had a great one yet in Chicago.

[Deerslyr]

if you can get it Abita's Harvest Pecan Ale is damn good so maybe you could reference that too.

Yeah... that's the one. I just need to get my lazy ass to Cost Plus World Market to pick it up. In the meantime, I wanted to discuss the "how" on this one.

[CarlosM]

Yeah... that's the one. I just need to get my lazy ass to Cost Plus World Market to pick it up. In the meantime, I wanted to discuss the "how" on this one.

id suggest finding breweries that make t and making some calls and asking for hints. Dabearsox from the looks if it has a great concept that might actually work IMO.

[Rustybrew]

Shiner made a seasonal that used pecans and peaches that I really liked. Since it was a one time only seasonal, they might be willing to give you some tips.

[DaBearSox]

I did a little searching but didn't fund much.https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f37/pecan-beers-brewhouse-kit-81339/looks like a little bit of info there...I have no idea how oily pecans are but I really think you have 2 options...either the de-oiling of the pecans or trying to find a natural extract...

[Deerslyr]

Picked up a 6er of the Abita last night at Cost Plus World Market. But I also got diverted by a Scotch Ale... Now I know which two are in the running for my next brew. I have a feeling the procedure with nuts will be too complicated (assuming I could figure it out) so I might as well start preparing for a Scotch Ale. Haven't done one in a couple of years, and the last one was an extract kit from my LHBS.

[DaBearSox]

Picked up a 6er of the Abita last night at Cost Plus World Market. But I also got diverted by a Scotch Ale... Now I know which two are in the running for my next brew. I have a feeling the procedure with nuts will be too complicated (assuming I could figure it out) so I might as well start preparing for a Scotch Ale. Haven't done one in a couple of years, and the last one was an extract kit from my LHBS.

ha....yea I think i may be the only one on this board who has experience brewing with nuts. (thats what she said) Its a real tough subject to research because most threads on any board that you will find will be someone asking about it, a few vague answers and then results never posted. Probably a good idea to go with the scotch ale if you don't want to use extract. Had one of my PB&J porters last night....they are def getting better with age but I wish I would have only used one can of Welch's.

[Deerslyr]

ha....yea I think i may be the only one on this board who has experience brewing with nuts. (thats what she said) Its a real tough subject to research because most threads on any board that you will find will be someone asking about it, a few vague answers and then results never posted. Probably a good idea to go with the scotch ale if you don't want to use extract. Had one of my PB&J porters last night....they are def getting better with age but I wish I would have only used one can of Welch's.

Say... your use of Welch's gives me an idea for next summer. I might try putting a couple of jars of grape jelly into it so that I can get some sort of purple beer with a grape(ish) flavor. Did you put the jelly in the secondary???

[DaBearSox]

Say... your use of Welch's gives me an idea for next summer. I might try putting a couple of jars of grape jelly into it so that I can get some sort of purple beer with a grape(ish) flavor. Did you put the jelly in the secondary???

nope, i guess it wouldn't have mattered b/c its a dark beer but jelly was not advised b/c the pectin will cloud things up and its quite messy...

[Deerslyr]

nope, i guess it wouldn't have mattered b/c its a dark beer but jelly was not advised b/c the pectin will cloud things up and its quite messy...

Doh1 Stupid me forgot that Welches makes grape juice too. Is this what you used???

[DaBearSox]

Doh1 Stupid me forgot that Welches makes grape juice too. Is this what you used???

Yea I used the grape juice...when looking at the beer in the light it def has a redish/purpleish hueafter fermentation its like have grape juice flavor half wine flavor

[Nick Bates]

When I made my PB&J Porter I used powdered peanut butter to overcome the oil issue...and head retention was just fine...I am guessing they dont make powdered pecan so you will probably have to go with a pecan extract or something rather than the real deal...

Do you have the recipe for the PB and J Porter, that sounds delish.

[DaBearSox]

here's the link over to my post on the "other board" https://www.brewboar...hl=PB&Jas i mentioned above I would only go with 1 can of welches grape juice rather than the 2 I ended up with. I sent a bottle to ChefLamont in the last beer pass and here was his critique

I coincidentally tried the PB&J beer last night when I got home. I have to be honest I was excited to try it but at the same time really apprehensive about it. Beers that are out on the edge kind of scare me because folks often try way too hard and they go over the edge with them. This beer was really surprising in that it didn't do that and it delivered all the flavors in a very pleasing way. It was interesting too. When the beer was cold(er) in the beginning, I got a lot more of the peanut butter taste and aroma, and it was definitely the dominant flavor. Then as it warmed, more of the "jelly" character came through. By the end the jelly was more dominant. Interesting. The bitterness/hopiness was very well done and balanced. I think this is the place that people often mess up beers with stuff added (friut, spice, vegitables, peanut butter, whatever). Overall, I thought it was a very interesting beer and I really enjoyed it.Now, here are a couple of small "what I would maybe try different in the next iteration" type of constructive critiques. First, the idea of peanut butter in general and a pb&j sandwich in particular makes me think big, stick to the roof of your mouth, mouthfeel. This beer wasn't watery or thin. In fact, it had a nice light-ish body and was very drinkable, but the mouthfeel to me seemed low for the concept. I would try increasing the dextrines for the next round, not to the point that you have to gnaw through the pint but just a bit fuller.

Just shoot me an PM if you would like anything else or i left something out somewhere