Membership questions? Log in issues? Email info@brewersassociation.org

Author Topic: Pumpkin Beer for the Beginner?  (Read 2315 times)

Offline doubledown11

  • 1st Kit
  • *
  • Posts: 11
  • Homebrewing Noob
Pumpkin Beer for the Beginner?
« on: August 21, 2013, 07:19:39 am »
I really enjoyed reading the pumpkin recipe in the latest issue of Zymurgy. I'd love to brew a pumpkin beer next but am still at the beginner level. Is there a kit you would recommend that will serve as a nice base? I want to use all of the various ingredients (pumpkin, honey, spices, etc) but need to find a kit that will lay the foundation. Thanks!

Offline fmader

  • Senior Brewmaster
  • ******
  • Posts: 1675
Re: Pumpkin Beer for the Beginner?
« Reply #1 on: August 21, 2013, 01:08:11 pm »
Northern Brewer has a "Smashing Pumpkin" kit. I brewed the extract version of it for like my third or fourth batch ever... It's pretty solid
Frank

Offline snowtiger87

  • Brewer
  • ****
  • Posts: 443
Re: Pumpkin Beer for the Beginner?
« Reply #2 on: August 21, 2013, 01:42:58 pm »
I am glad you liked the article.

You could easily brew the recipe without the pumpkin with all extract. For the pumpkin I recommend at least a partial mash but if you absolutely can't do that you could just (gads) throw the pumpkin in the boil  :o and get a little character out of it (but you did not hear that from me)  ;)
Brewing since 1989 - BJCP National Rank
Member of KROC and Foam on the Range

Fermenting: Double IPA
Conditioning: Saison du Potiron
On tap: Cider, Cream Ale, Bock, Rye Dunkel Doppelbock, Celebration Clone, Imperial Stout

Offline micsager

  • Senior Brewmaster
  • ******
  • Posts: 1179
Re: Pumpkin Beer for the Beginner?
« Reply #3 on: August 21, 2013, 03:53:06 pm »
Are folks getting ripe, fresh pumpkins already?

I buddy of mine has a great AG recipe, and I wanna try it this year in my commercial brewery, but it takes real pumpkins, roasted and such. 

Offline Stevie

  • Official Poobah of No Life. (I Got Ban Hammered by Drew)
  • *********
  • Posts: 6858
Re: Pumpkin Beer for the Beginner?
« Reply #4 on: August 21, 2013, 04:21:54 pm »
Are folks getting ripe, fresh pumpkins already?

I buddy of mine has a great AG recipe, and I wanna try it this year in my commercial brewery, but it takes real pumpkins, roasted and such.

I've seen organic pumpkins at a couple of grocery stores in and around Dallas.

Offline snowtiger87

  • Brewer
  • ****
  • Posts: 443
Re: Pumpkin Beer for the Beginner?
« Reply #5 on: August 22, 2013, 01:46:29 pm »
Canned is much easier and available year round.
Brewing since 1989 - BJCP National Rank
Member of KROC and Foam on the Range

Fermenting: Double IPA
Conditioning: Saison du Potiron
On tap: Cider, Cream Ale, Bock, Rye Dunkel Doppelbock, Celebration Clone, Imperial Stout

Offline micsager

  • Senior Brewmaster
  • ******
  • Posts: 1179
Re: Pumpkin Beer for the Beginner?
« Reply #6 on: August 22, 2013, 02:21:21 pm »
Canned is much easier and available year round.

Yes, just like extract brewing.  Nothing wrong with that, but I prefer to have as much control over the process and such as possible.