12 replies to this topic

[MX1]

Ok, after I racked to secondary yesterday, the Porter I am brewing just did not have enough chocolate to cut through the roasted barley, which has given it a great earthy coffee flavor.I am going to add a few oz of cold brewed coffee to the secondary, and did not know if there was any way to add coco powder to the secondary as well. Can I boil some water and make a coco paste and add that?Tim

[Deerslyr]

Ok, after I racked to secondary yesterday, the Porter I am brewing just did not have enough chocolate to cut through the roasted barley, which has given it a great earthy coffee flavor.I am going to add a few oz of cold brewed coffee to the secondary, and did not know if there was any way to add coco powder to the secondary as well. Can I boil some water and make a coco paste and add that?Tim

Do a quick search on this site for Cocoa and/or Chocolate. I seem to recall we had a discussion a couple of months ago where some techniques were hashed out. Might be worth digging those up and finding out what results were, as they should be "known" by now. But, as you are probably aware, the fat content in cocoa can ruin head retention. I may be wrong here, and someone correct me if I am, but you may be able to infuse some vodka with cocoa of some sort and then use the infusion, rather than dumping a cocoa paste into the beer.I hope this gets rolling, because I am interested in knowing what the results were.

[DubbelEntendre]

Ok, after I racked to secondary yesterday, the Porter I am brewing just did not have enough chocolate to cut through the roasted barley, which has given it a great earthy coffee flavor.I am going to add a few oz of cold brewed coffee to the secondary, and did not know if there was any way to add coco powder to the secondary as well. Can I boil some water and make a coco paste and add that?Tim

What flavor are you going for here? Are you looking to bring out the chocolate or the coffee? What specialty malts and adjuncts did you add to this brew to achieve your desired flavor?

[Winkydowbrewing]

Ive done many batches of Porter using cocoa beans. I crush them up real small and leave them covered with vodka for about a week. I then strain then through a coffee bag right into the secondary (or keg in my sense) and that seems to get the job done. I cant recall what measurement I was using for the cocoa beans, Ill see if I have it in my notes and post back.

[denny]

Star Kay chocolate extract is reliable, easy to use, and very tasty.

[MX1]

What flavor are you going for here? Are you looking to bring out the chocolate or the coffee? What specialty malts and adjuncts did you add to this brew to achieve your desired flavor?

10# 2 Row1.5# Chocolate Malt1# Crystal 404 oz. Black Patent1 oz. Roasted Barley8 oz. Flaked wheat2-3 oz of cold extract coffee in the 2ndary.I was looking for a Robust Porter with Chocolate/Coffee flavors. Somewhere along the lines of a Young's Dbl Choco stout with coffee, but as a porter.It has a great roasted coffee flavor right now, not even sure if I will add the coffee in the secondary.Tim

[MX1]

Ok, i could not find extract or nibs...what i did get are raw cacao beans, what do you think...hull them, break them up and secondary....or roast them first, then hull, and secondary...any ideas guys/galsTim

[Winkydowbrewing]

I just chopped the cocoa beans right up and let them sit in vodka, pulls out the oils and then strain them through a sterilized coffee filter.

[MX1]

I just chopped the cocoa beans right up and let them sit in vodka, pulls out the oils and then strain them through a sterilized coffee filter.

Got no Vodka....but the house smells great Tim

[Deerslyr]

Got no Vodka....but the house smells great Tim

Vodka is great to have around for brewing beer. First, you can make the infusions. Second, you can safely use it in your airlock! Get thee some Smirnoff!

[Winkydowbrewing]

Smirnoff...yikes! Your going for the good stuff. I found the plastic 1.75 of USA brand vodka to work wonders (runs about $12)

[Deerslyr]

Smirnoff...yikes! Your going for the good stuff. I found the plastic 1.75 of USA brand vodka to work wonders (runs about $12)

I figure when I do reach for the vodka for a drink... it might as well be good. :-)At least its not the super expensive stuff.

[DubbelEntendre]

I figure when I do reach for the vodka for a drink... it might as well be good. :-)At least its not the super expensive stuff.

My Airlock prefers Three Olives.