20 replies to this topic

[Nick Bates]

Im about to transfer my Chocolate Mint Stout to the secondary, how do I go about adding in the fresh mint leafs. Do I boil the mint leafs in water for 15 to sanatize then just dump it all in the secondary? Also do I leave the leafs on the stems or do I have to pull all the leafs off? Any help would be greatThanks

[tag]

I always recommend steeping any additions like that in vodka and then adding the mint vodka to taste.

[Nick Bates]

how did you go about steeping the mint leafs in vodka? how long did you soak the mint in vodka for? THanks tag

[MtnBrewer]

Are you bottling it? If so, then what I would do is add the mint to your priming syrup.

[Nick Bates]

Are you bottling it? If so, then what I would do is add the mint to your priming syrup.

I will be bottling it, but will adding fresh mint have enough time to come threw if just adding to the bottling bucket?

[ThroatwobblerMangrove]

I will be bottling it, but will adding fresh mint have enough time to come threw if just adding to the bottling bucket?

it's going to end up in all of the bottles so why wouldn't it?

[MtnBrewer]

I will be bottling it, but will adding fresh mint have enough time to come through if just adding to the bottling bucket?

I think so but I haven't actually done it with mint. The reason this came to mind is that I just got back from the Asian market with a batch of kaffir lime leaves. Tomorrow I'm going to add them to a Belgian golden strong that I'm bottling. I plan to steep them in the priming syrup, strain and add to the bottling bucket.

[MtnBrewer]

it's going to end up in all of the bottles so why wouldn't it?

He'd probably want to strain the leaves out before bottling.

[tag]

how did you go about steeping the mint leafs in vodka? how long did you soak the mint in vodka for? THanks tag

I haven't done it with mint, just roasted peppers. Soak the chopped leaves in about one pint of vodka for a few days. Then you can add some of the liquor to a known volume to taste and then add the proper amount to the whole batch.

[ThroatwobblerMangrove]

He'd probably want to strain the leaves out before bottling.

right but I assumed he'd be doing it the way you'd be doing it so the priming solution would be seriously infused with the mint.

[MtnBrewer]

right but I assumed he'd be doing it the way you'd be doing it so the priming solution would be seriously infused with the mint.

I would think so too but since I haven't tried it with mint, I don't know exactly how infused it would be.

[ThroatwobblerMangrove]

I would think so too but since I haven't tried it with mint, I don't know exactly how infused it would be.

I mean - mint is pretty powerful stuff so I wouldn't expect it to take much either.

[Nick Bates]

yea mint is pretty strong, I just want to get that right balance, I am going toward adding it to the secondary. I may even do Mccormicks pure mint extract, as well.

[ThroatwobblerMangrove]

yea mint is pretty strong, I just want to get that right balance, I am going toward adding it to the secondary. I may even do Mccormicks pure mint extract, as well.

I would think putting it in hot priming solution would do a good job of extracting flavor but I've never tried so take that with a grain of salt.

[Nick Bates]

Now for priming im using 1 and 1/4 cup DME, ive never used DME to prime how much water should I boil the DME in? sorry for all the questions... And from what I have read DME takes alittle longer to carbonate then priming sugar?

[ThroatwobblerMangrove]

Now for priming im using 1 and 1/4 cup DME, ive never used DME to prime how much water should I boil the DME in? sorry for all the questions... And from what I have read DME takes alittle longer to carbonate then priming sugar?

I don't think it's super important how much as long as you get the DME fully dissolved. AGain - I've always used sugar so I'm not 100% sure. I would expect sugar to more readily carb up since it's a less complex sugar but I wouldn't expect the difference to be that big in carb time.

[MtnBrewer]

Now for priming im using 1 and 1/4 cup DME, ive never used DME to prime how much water should I boil the DME in? sorry for all the questions... And from what I have read DME takes alittle longer to carbonate then priming sugar?

I would suggest that you weigh the DME rather than using volume measurements. (I recommend that with sugar too, btw.) It doesn't really matter how much water you use. A pint or so ought to do. Just make sure that the syrup isn't too think or else too much sugar will stick to the pot you boiled the sugar in. I think DME does take a little longer to carbonate. Maybe an extra week or two.

[Nick Bates]

thanks again guys I will use all the info you guys provided.

[Deerslyr]

Been thinking about this... has anyone given any thought to the effect of the mint oils on head retention???

[earthtone]

I would think putting it in hot priming solution would do a good job of extracting flavor but I've never tried so take that with a grain of salt.

works when you make tea right??