16 replies to this topic

[lowendfrequency]

In my efforts to always try something different, non-traditional and to make the brewing process even more difficult for myself, I've decided that I'd like to try the process of "stoning" my wort. For those that aren't familiar with the term, it's the process of heating rocks until they are red hot and submerging them in your wort. The idea is to add a dimension of complexity through the caramelizing of the sugars, kind of like in a decoction mash. I was wondering if anyone here has heard of this, had any experiences or even how you all would approach this if you were were going to attempt it?This is what I've heard. As an old-world technique it was used to actually boil wort, while nowadays it seems like you can achieve the effect by stoning in your first runnings and proceeding with your fired boil as usual. I hear that granite is the stone of choice because of it's ability to hold heat without exploding and that it doesn't impart any mineral flavors. I've also heard pink granite in particular, but I'm unsure what makes it better than other types granite. Thats about all I know. I think it would be cool to achieve an actual boil and maybe do an old-world beer like a gruit. Or maybe just try stoning the runnings of something more modern but strong and malty like a big doppelbock. Thoughts, comments, critiques or input?

[SnailPowered]

If you actually do it I would really like to know how it goes! I have yet to brew beer 1, or even buy the equipment but this sounds really cool to me. I like strange things though.

[tag]

Here is an old BYO article: https://www.byo.com/...a-stein-beerAnd a thread on homebrewtalk: https://www.homebrew...beer-125478/Let us know how it goes!

[djinkc]

I still have some granite a friend gave to me about a year or so ago to do this. I put it off since I brew in the basement - electric. One of my friends that brews outside just moved down the block from me. I have no doubt he'll jump on this when I pitch the idea. Having not done it my concerns are boilovers and exploding rocks with hot sugar water. Outside just seems easier to try it.

[ChefLamont]

As Tag's links show it is known as Steinbier. From what I understand they would also take the stones from the batch that was just made and put the cooled stones in the lagering/secondary tank of an old batch. The BYO article talks about this, but I am not sure how you would keep the rocks sanitary from brew day to secondary in a single batch.

[Stout_fan]

Graham Sanders has been trying to perfect this for several years now.https://radio.craftbrewer.org/

[lowendfrequency]

Great resources guys, thank you! This is a great video: too: now starting to question my ability to heat these rocks up enough for a full boil however. I don't have access to a fire pit. I'm planning on using my horizontal barrel style smoker/grill. I should be able to get them red hot though, so I'm thinking that I'll just try the technique to caramelize some sugars in my first runnings and then continue with my burner-fired boil as usual. I don't have any fermenters with big enough openings to use the stones in secondary either. I'm wondering if maybe I left the stones in during the boil, that the caramel coating with dissolve into the beer?I'm beginning to lean towards an imperial red ale as well.

[tag]

Let me know if you want some Colorado pink granite.

[djinkc]

Great resources guys, thank you! This is a great video: https://www.youtube....h?v=x-hy8Lfid0kThis too: https://www.youtube....h?v=x-hy8Lfid0kI'm now starting to question my ability to heat these rocks up enough for a full boil however. .............

If/When I do this I planned on using lump charcoal for the heat source in my Weber kettle grill. Also just to supplement the boil rather than the rocks being the only heat source. Can't be that tough though, they did it back when the brew kettles were wooden.

[BrewerGeorge]

... they did it back when the brew kettles were wooden.

That's kind of the point, eh? Somewhat like the way you can boil water in a leather bag by heating rocks

[3rd party JKor]

Yeah, I gotta imagine lump coal is the way to go for the heat. Give it lots of air and get those suckers HOT.

[djinkc]

csbosox stopped by for a quick glass tonight. Pretty sure I have him talked into it. I think an Alt or Sticke would be nice but there are other options. I need to come up with a method to retrieve, reheat the rocks without being a PIA.

[earthtone]

Man I want to do a full boil with just stones for heat. What a wicked brew day that'd be. I'd dig a pit and fire a couple dozen stones if I were doing that though. Impy red or a scotch ale would be my choices.

[lowendfrequency]

If any of you guys attempt this, be sure to update this thread with your pictures! I'm committed to trying it out, but I've got a couple beers in the lineup before this one. Hopefully I can get to it in the next few weeks. This is the beer that originally sparked my interest: https://www.sebagobr...s_milestone.php

[zymot]

Now this is a coincedence. Just 20 minutes ago, I was reading the stone beer section in Randy Mosher's "Radical Brewing." Mosher calls it "steinbier". (If you do not have a copy, you need to buy one)There a many reasons people get into homebrewing. Your reason is that you are obviously nuts. I mean nuts in an extreme homebrewer no challange is too big, the good kind of nuts way.More power and heat to you and go for it my friend.zymot

[lowendfrequency]

There a many reasons people get into homebrewing. Your reason is that you are obviously nuts. I mean nuts in an extreme homebrewer no challange is too big, the good kind of nuts way.More power and heat to you and go for it my friend.zymot

I take this as the ultimate compliment Thanks hah!So, in everyones opinion... would including melanoiden in this recipe be cheating? I'm hoping to do an Impy Red and the 'noid is my go-to malt for red beer.

[zymot]

So, in everyones opinion... would including melanoiden in this recipe be cheating? I'm hoping to do an Impy Red and the 'noid is my go-to malt for red beer.

If it is malt, it ain't cheating.However if you use melanoiden, how would you know which flavors came from the melanoiden and what came from the rocks?It is your beer, it is your choice. Rock On! <-- pun intended